John 1: 35-42

John’s gospel is unique in a number of ways. Sometimes we are tempted to pass by those details that are different than we remember from the other gospels. However, often those unique details can lead to some new insights into the person of Jesus and also how God may be working in our life too. For example, this passage would suggest that Jesus changed the name of Simon to Cephas as soon as he accepted him as a disciple. In other gospels Jesus seems to change his name after he has been a disciple for some time. (John 1:12) Another thing that is different is the fact that here Andrew tells his brother, Peter, that “we have found the Messiah” from the beginning. The other gospels give the impression that Jesus being the Messiah is something that Peter has been wrestling with for some time and only gradually came to believe. Because of Peter’s insight and having the courage to say it out loud, Jesus seems to recognize him as the future leader of his disciples.

“When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter said in reply, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus said to him in reply, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.’” (Matthew 16:13-19)

Rather than worry about which might be correct, or how they both might be accurate, we might find it more profitable to ask why John has chosen to describe Jesus’ relationship with Peter in this way. What is John trying to tell us about Jesus, Peter, discipleship, etc? What is the gospel trying to tell us about OUR relationship to Jesus?

1. Do you know the story behind how you were named? Do you have a nickname and how did you get it? Do you have a nickname that is not known to everyone? How is the name an expression of your relationship to the person who gave it to you, to the people who use it?
2. If you were Simon, what would you be thinking when you meet Jesus and he says that you are going to be called Peter/Cephas?
3. What do you think the two disciples of John the Baptist were thinking when they heard him say “Behold the Lamb of God?” Just from how they are described here, what kind of men do you think they were? What do they say to you by the fact that they are willing to abandon John and the rest of his disciples in order to go to Jesus?
4. If Jesus would ask you what are you looking for, what would you say? Are you looking? Where are you looking? What behaviors would point to the fact that you are really looking?
5. Is the pattern of John the Baptist, Andrew and Peter in the gospel present in how you have been lead at times in your relationship with God? Is it true now? Could it be how God would like to work in your life now: to lead you to a more intimate relationship with God? Are you looking?

(Comments to Paul at pauljg@mindspring.com.)

Paul Gallagher, OFM
Young Adult Ministry - Spiritual Direction
St. Peter Chruch
110 West Madison
Chicago, IL 60602
312-327-5111