Summon the Best
[Jesus] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Matthew 16:15-16
[excerpted from How Happiness Happens by Max Lucado]
When Jesus asked his followers, “Who do you say that I am?” I hear silence from the disciples. A throat being cleared. I see eyes lower and heads duck.
Finally, Peter spoke up. He looked at the penniless rabbi from Galilee and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus all but jumped for joy at the confession. “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah” (v. 17 NKJV). In modern day parlance, “Way to go! You’re the man! You nailed it!” He even changed the apostle’s name. Simon would now be called Peter, a name that is next of kin to Petros or Rocky. Simon, the man who expressed rock-solid faith, needed a rock-solid name. So, Jesus gave it to him.
How do you suppose this made Peter feel? When his friends began calling him Rocky, when Jesus put His arm around his shoulders and said, “Love you, Rocky,” do you suppose he felt encouraged? Of course he did. Jesus did to Peter what encouragers do. He summoned the best. He built Peter up.
Summon the best in those around you.
Loving Father, thank You for Your words of encouragement. Help us to recognize those around us who need support and kindness. Let us follow You and share Your love with others. AMEN.