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 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.”

 

Matthew 16:17-18

 

Matthew tells us that Jesus took the disciples to a place called Caesarea Philippi. There he asked them the question, “Who do you say that I am?” Simon is the first to speak up and say that Jesus is the Son of God. At this Jesus, changes his name to Peter (in Aramaic, Kepha), which means big boulder. This is because Jesus is building the Church on him and establishes him as the leader of the Church. 

 

Peter was not the most stable person. He was often emotional. In his wild emotions, he often made promises beyond his ability to keep. Jesus gave him the name “rock” to set a direction for his life. 

 

What might God want to call you? Ask God today his name for you.