Good morning my friends! Are you ready to dig into a rock?!? :) Here we go! Here's a list of information for you. Why don't you take a moment to stop and pray, and follow the Lord as you wade through knowledge... ask Him to make it real to you and help you to know it!

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which translated is Peter/Rock). John 1:42

- Jesus identified who Simon was (drawing attention to his family etc.) and for the first time mentioned that he knew just who Simon would turn out to be!

“And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matthew 16:18

- This time, Jesus said “you are Peter”(though he is also still called Simon at this time....) and again mentions what He knows of who Simon will become.

Jesus is starting to relate Simon's identity with the name relating to who he would become... and even called him Peter for the first time. Though Simon had come quite a long way and had certainly learned a great deal about faith, had his character become something that we would readily relate to a rock?

We'll look more in depth at this passage soon, but please take a peek at Matthew 26:74-75.

Was Peter a man who was able to stand firm and stand alone?

Let's look at some more information, shall we?

rock (www.dictionary.com)

noun

1. a large mass of stone forming a hill, cliff, promontory, or the like.

2. a. mineral matter of variable composition, consolidated or unconsolidated, assembled in masses or considerable quantities in nature, as by the action of heat or water.

b. a particular kind of such matter; igneous rock

3. stone in the mass: buildings that stand upon rock.

4. a stone of any size.

5. something resembling or suggesting a rock.

6. a firm foundation or support.

Is it just me, or until we reached definition 6, was your understanding of rock a bit different? I was interested in the fact that definitions 1-5 explain a rock as being only a part of a whole, not a thing in and of itself. Interesting.

I also find it interesting that it is when the stones (of any size) are assembled together … that they become a foundation. Interesting.

I also like the distinction that the rock can be of any size or shape.

Ok. Let's keep pulling this together!

We hear quite often of another Rock in Scripture, of a Cornerstone! Please read Psalm 18:2. Who is YOUR Rock?

Now please read Ephesians 2:19-22. We've referred to this passage before. Jesus is the cornerstone! Verse 22 says that “we too are being built together to become a dwelling place in which God lives by His Spirit.” WOW. We are being built together on the Cornerstone... built to be the church... built to [become a dwelling in which God live by His Spirit.] Stop. Take that in. That's a BIG. DEAL.

We are allowed to become a part of Christ.

We are allowed to rest on the Cornerstone! (“Come. Follow me. And I will make you...”)

And we are allowed to become a dwelling in which GOD will live.... “The Kingdom of Heaven is near”... will be the theme of our existence! That is where we're headed!

PRAISE THE LORD!

Jesus knew who Simon would was. He knew the identity of “Simon the fisherman, son of John.” But here's the beautiful thing. Jesus knew that Simon would become Peter, the rock. Not gaining a great name for himself, but trading it for another name entirely.

Not becoming a great and glorious structure on a hill for all to see, but a piece of the foundation that would hold it up.

Not suffering by changing his perspective from the goal of personal success, but experiencing radical life-change, incredible victory, and a world-changing purpose by being identified as a part of Christ. Period.

“You will be a [Rock]... and on this Rock I will build my church. And nothing will overcome it.”

And it was true. Because Jesus is truth. Not what we think (or don't think) possible.

[ Simon was an ordinary fisherman.]

Not what we assume to be true

[So often we like to think of Simon as a man of strong character giving him the name “The Rock.] But it wasn't his character that made him strong, but it was the character of Christ. It wasn't his identity, it was trading his identity for that of Christs.

Are you willing to change your identity?

Are you willing to become less so that He can become more? Sure, you'll have to be uncomfortable and change your perspective. But what blessing, joy, and life! Are you resolved to follow?

Finally, let's read from the pen of Simon Peter Himself. “As you come to Him, the living Stone – rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to Him – you also like living stones are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 2:4-5

We are living stones! Jesus has invited each one of us to the same name and the same calling that Peter was given! Isn't that incredible?

For Discussion: Does it change your perspective on Peter to think of his calling this way? Howso? Does it change your perspective on your calling? Please re-read 1 Peter 2:4-5. What does it mean to “offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”? And to read on about your incredible calling, continue in 1 Peter 2 and read verses 9-12. You'll be glad you did!