"An Invitation that will Change Your Life" - John 1:29-42 - January 20, 2002

One week before the new semester began at Edison College, I was invited to teach a course that I had never taught before. The course was Child Psychology. The Dean told me that they had an unexpected opening and I was her first choice. I immediately thought about a textbook I would have to read and 16 weeks of lesson plans I would have to prepare. I decided it was too much and told her I didn’t feel like I could work it in this semester.

I actually felt bad about turning her down. It meant I had passed up the opportunity to teach something new and different, not to mention some extra income. But, I felt that my schedule was maximized and to teach more hours would be a real burden. Besides I’m really a preacher. Teaching is more of a hobby. I must admit, however that it was flattering to be considered, to think that the school had need of me.

I have been invited to do many things and I always wonder what could have been had I said "yes" to an opportunity that I turned down. Did you ever say "no" to something and regret it later? Did you ever feel you were being asked to fill a position for which you didn’t believe you were qualified? When invited to do something different I usually wonder how much time its going to take. Will it really be worth it? Regardless of the opportunity it will certainly mean making some sacrifices and especially a reduction in our free time.

I wonder what Andrew and Simon were thinking when Jesus invited them to "come and see." These were career fisherman who worked long hours and made their livelihood on the Sea of Galilee. What could Jesus possibly want with them? Why would he want two, crusty, fisherman to follow him and be his disciples?

For whatever reason they went. They went to where Jesus was and spent an entire day. You wonder what kind of magnetic power Jesus must have had to attract these men. Steve Spurrier, former football coach of the University of Florida, just accepted an invitation to be head coach of the Washington Redskins in the NFL. Of course he will only receive a mere $5 million the next five seasons. That makes sense. But, to leave your job and follow Jesus, not knowing where your life was going? It boggles the mind.

Perhaps they trusted John (the Baptist) who told them this was the "Son of God." Maybe they were really dedicated to John and his teachings and out of loyalty they went. Could they have really been all that excited about meeting the "Messiah.?" I wonder.

When Simon appeared before Jesus, Jesus changed his name to "Peter." You wonder what was so attractive about a name change. Its difficult to understand, but after his encounter with Jesus, Simon, now Peter, had a new identity.

Perhaps the key lies in verse 29 when John said, "Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." We know nothing of Simon Peter’s background but we know this; he had the opportunity to start afresh since he was willing to follow Jesus. Not only did he have a new name, he had the opportunity to start all over again, completely forgiven.

It has been my experience that people who change their names have gone through some sort of transformation. They reach a point where they want to leave the past behind and embrace the future, thus being known as someone completely different. Most women who marry assume their husbands’ last names because they now have a new identity. They are no longer "Daddy’s little girl."

My wife, Lin’s actual name is Linda. Her mother continues to call her that because she named her and doesn’t know her by any other name. But ever since Lin started her career in social work she has used the name "Lin." For her it separated her from her childhood and the career and life she lives in the present.

I believe, however that there is more going on here for Simon than a new vocation. He has been searching for something and now he has found it. On the one hand it was a role model in Jesus for which to pattern his life. On the other hand it was the forgiveness he experienced made possible through the life of the "Lamb of God."

When we truly experience forgiveness we are able to shed our past and live in the future. Old identities are completely washed away. Sins, mistakes, debts, failures, shortcomings, trespasses, guilt, a wrong doing, offenses, mis-conduct, errors, faults, etc. are all written off. This of course is the good news, Jesus gave himself for us. We are forgiven.

As a young struggling attorney, Abraham Lincoln got a chance to work with some famous big-city lawyers on a local case. One of the outsiders, upon seeing Lincoln, gasped, "What is that gawky ape doing here? Get him out of here. I refuse to work with him." But Lincoln pretended not to hear, and continued to work with the legal team, even though they ostracized him and rarely consulted him. Observing the insulting but talented lawyer at work, however, Lincoln was so impressed by his skills that he decided to return to the study of law to improve himself.

Years later, after Lincoln became president, the offensive lawyer, now a U.S. senator, was one of is most outspoken critics. Yet, when the need arose for a knowledgeable secretary of war, Lincoln chose that same man, Edwin M. Stanton. Not long afterward, Lincoln was killed by an assassin. Stanton, filled with inconsolable grief, cried out the now-famous words, "Now he belongs to the ages." Lincoln may never have known the impact of his forgiving spirit upon this lifelong critic, but both men were ennobled because Lincoln chose to emphasize Stanton’s positive qualities and look beyond his negative ones. (from God’s Little Lessons On Life for Dad, Honor Books, Tulsa, Oklahoma)

This is exactly what happened to Simon Peter. Jesus looked beyond all his shortcomings and affirmed his potential as a leader of the church. Simon, now Peter, is to be the "rock of the Church." The old fisherman is now ready to lead and build the Church. He has a new name, a new identity, an opportunity to begin anew.

Peter was not the first follower to be called "the rock." There is an old rabbinical parable why Abraham was also called a "rock." (Isa. 51:1) A certain king, the story goes, desired to build a palace and his workmen dug deep to find a firm foundation. After two lengthy spells of digging, soundings were taken, but only marshy ground was found. Finally they struck rock (petra) and Abraham said, "Now I can make a beginning." (from The Gospel of John, E.F. Bruce)

This may have been in Jesus’ mind when he called Simon, "Cephas," which means rock. Thus, he associates Simon with Abraham, both faithful followers of God for whom God needs to carry God’s mission. You know the rest of the story. The scriptures give testimony to Peter’s mission. It wasn’t easy and he continued to make some mistakes. Nevertheless, he went.

Now we can make a new beginning. To "come and see," like Peter and Andrew means we are all forgiven and we have the opportunity to begin our lives afresh. It means as a disciple we have a new identity. And, like Peter, Abraham and Lincoln we too can "belong to the ages," as we become part of the same mission of Abraham and Peter, building God’s kingdom.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ