I can still hear my mother’s voice - “Karen Ann, what have you done?” The tone was higher than normal and the exaggeration was deliberate. Her anger was obvious, but more than that, I knew she was disappointed with me which affected my heart more than anything else could. Whenever I heard both my first and second names, I knew I was in trouble.
There was a man we read about whose name meant more than he realized when it was given to him. The first time we are introduced to a man by the name Simon is in Luke 5. It’s in the morning after a night of total defeat in catching absolutely not one fish - unheard of by professional fishermen. Jesus told Simon to put his nets down once again. He acquiesced and before long, his nets were so full, help from his friends were needed to secure the haul.
When Simon reached the shore, he knew something supernatural happened and confessed to Jesus that he was a sinful man. Jesus did not respond to his spiritual condition, but told him to fear not, and what his future would be like. He gave him a new name. You are Peter - a rock and are going to be a fisher of men. At that moment, he had no idea what all that would entail.
Fast forward to the night of the last supper, Luke 22:15-32. Jesus told His disciples that He had been longing for that particular meal to celebrate with them. He broke bread and said it was His body. He took a cup of wine and said it was His blood that was shed for them. And then proceeded to tell them that He was going to be betrayed, arrested, suffer and die.
An argument arose among them as to who would ever do such a thing. And then escalated further to determine who was greatest in the kingdom. How is it possible that the focus of Jesus’ death and resurrection could turn into narcissistic arguments?
Jesus interrupts the chaos by calling out, Simon, Simon, (using the name identified with his being a sinful man). Listen, Satan has asked that you be given up to him, out of the power and keeping of God, that he might sift you like grain. But I have prayed especially for you, Peter, (the new name Jesus gave him to identify with new strength needed for his future), that your own faith may not fail. We often respond to circumstances from our human side. Jesus responds to us from His perfect side of grace.
Peter had spent 3 years with Jesus and still responded out of his emotions and mental stress, not the words and promises of God Himself. He was not unique - we all do it from time to time. What are the names or thoughts you think about yourself from the position of depression or negative self-awareness? I am a loser, ignorant, abandoned, a victim and will never move from the place of despair where I am right now.
God has given you new names and loves you beyond your imagination. He thinks of you as a winner, having the mind of Christ, rescued from everything that would defeat you, a victor and promises that you will soar beyond your present confinement to a place of hope and freedom.
Father, thank you for breaking the chains of our past sin, wrong choices and rebellion - giving us new names - forgiven, loved and being secure even though we don’t deserve them, knowing that Your plans for us are for welfare and peace, not for evil, to give us hope in our final outcome. Jeremiah 29:11.
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