CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE -"We Have Found the Messiah"! Conclusion

 Until that day, Peter was known by the name Simon, or Simeon. But Jesus looked at him and said: "You are Simon the son of John; you will be called Cephas' (which is translated Peter)," (John 1:42) "Cephas" is a common noun meaning "stone," or "rock." Evidently, Jesus' words were prophetic. He foresaw that Peter would become like rock-a stable, sturdy, and reliable influence among Christ's followers. Did Peter see himself that way? It seems doubtful. Even some modern-day readers of the Gospel accounts see little that is rocklike in Peter. Some have suggested that his character as reveal in the Bible record seems to be unsteady, inconstant, vacillating. 

Peter did have his faults. Jesus is not blind to those. But Jesus. like his Father, Jehovah, was always looking for the good in people. Jesus saw much potential in Peter, and he sought to help him build on those good qualities. Jehovah and his Son look for the good in us today too. We may have a hard time believing that there is much good in us for them to find. However, we need to trust in their viewpoint and prove ourselves willing to be trained and molded, as Peter was. -1 JOHN 3:19, 20. 

Next time: CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE - "Stop Being Afraid" 

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