Limitless ∙

Limitless ∙

He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter). – John 1:42

Mark 1:16-18

 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.

 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

 18 Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.

Could it be that each person on planet Earth faces real or imagined obstacles in life? Are we able to transcend our presumed limits? Can we move beyond what we see? Sadly, many individuals are myopic and shortsighted. We impose restrictions on ourselves that are either self-inflicted or imparted by those who disparage us. These non-affirming individuals belittle our ambitions. Regrettably, we often limit our potential because of a lack of vision and the artificial limitations imposed upon us by others.

“If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else. It will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them” (Bruce Lee).

“Keep away from people who belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great” (Mark Twain).

During biblical times, surnames did not exist. People were identified by their father’s name (for instance, Simon, son of John, Judah Ben Hur) or their place of origin (for example, Jesus of Nazareth, Simon of Cyrene). A person’s name was believed to embody their personality characteristics.

The Father can see below the surface. He knows the inner recesses of our hearts and minds. He sees beyond the present day and is aware of future events before they happen. The Father often assigned new names to individuals in the Scriptures, which signified their new character, purpose, or responsibility.

Simon is an English translation of the Hebrew name Shimon. Shimon is derived from the Hebrew term sh’ma, which signifies listen, hear, be attentive, or pay attention. The Lord Jesus Christ had a broader vision for Simon. Being a mere “listener” was too limiting and restrictive. The Father had a far different plan in mind for him.

John 1:42 He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon, the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” (which is translated as Peter).

When the Lord Jesus Christ first encountered Simon, He knew what Simon would ultimately become. The Greek translated as look is emblepo, a combination of en, meaning in or on, and blepo, meaning to look. It means to look in the face, fix the eyes upon, look at, or upon. Thus, it had the sense of deep contemplation, consideration, and clear discernment: see clearly, discern.

Upon meeting Simon, the Lord Jesus Christ clearly discerned the future. He declared that Simon’s name would be Cephas. This new name was a prophecy of Simon’s future identity. It was a prediction of what he would become. Cephas is an Aramaic term that translates to rock. The Greek equivalent of Cephas is Peter, derived from the Greek word Petros, also signifying a rock. Therefore, Peter and Cephas are not separate names but the same name in two different languages.

Matthew 16:18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means rock) . . ..

Simon’s initial encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ changed the trajectory of his life. It would take many years for the weak, inconsistent, unpredictable, and impulsive Simon to be transformed into a steadfast rock. Yet, that was precisely what the Father accomplished.

Tomorrow is always the first day of the rest of your life! Make the rest of your life the best of your life!

REFLECT & PRAY

“The world has yet to see what God can do with a man fully consecrated to him. By God’s help, I aim to be that man” (Moody).

Father I am aware that from time immemorial, You have seen the inception, progression, and culmination of my life. Embolden me to perceive myself through Your eyes and have faith in myself as You do.

INSIGHT

But there’s more, in the Old Testament, a change of name often signified that the individual had entered into a new relationship with the Father. It was akin to a fresh start in life. That person now had a new beginning, a calling, and a purpose.

When the Father looks upon us, He is not limited by our present circumstances. In fact, He perceives not only what we are, but also what we will become. His vision extends beyond our immediate status. The Father also sees not only the possibilities and potential but also what will actually happen.

As Lord Jesus Christ beheld Peter, He saw more than just a fisherman from Galilee. Instead, He recognized the future leader and spokesperson of the early church.

The story is told of Michelangelo chipping away with his chisel at a huge, shapeless piece of rock. Someone approached and asked Michelangelo what he was doing. Michelangelo replied, “I am releasing the angel imprisoned in this marble.”

The Father sees and can release the hidden potential in each of us. He gently whispers to each of us, “Give me your life, and I will make you what you have it in you to be.” He has intelligently designed each of His children for a specific purpose. His purpose is His dream for our lives!

When the Father looks at His children, what does He see? He sees what we will become because He knows what we will become. When we look at His children, what do we see? And when we look at ourselves . . ..

Mark 1:16-18

 16 As He was going along by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, the brother of Simon, casting a net in the sea; for they were fishermen.

 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”

 18 Immediately, they left their nets and followed Him.

“‘Follow me’ meant ‘come behind me as a disciple.’ It was an invitation, but in view of who Jesus was it had the force of a command” (Constable).

Their task was no longer to cast nets for fish but rather for people. Just as fishing requires hard work, self-sacrifice, and expertise, so too would their new mission of reaching out to lost humanity. They had a lot to learn, yet they responded without hesitation. They dropped everything, left their current tasks behind, and devoted themselves to becoming disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ asks all the children of the King to follow Him, become His disciples, and embark on the journey He designed them for from eternity past.

The date, October 28, 1949, holds a distinct place in Christian history. Why? It is not due to a revolutionary theologian affixing a paradigm-shifting document on a church door in Wittenburg. Nor was it because a renowned evangelist, pastor, or teacher was born. Instead, it was because a young man, profoundly devoted to God, wrote a simple yet profound sentence. These words are now among the most frequently cited Christian phrases not originating from the Holy Scriptures. They were written by Jim Elliott, a missionary who was martyred on January 8, 1956, by the Aucas in Ecuador (Kevin Halloran).

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

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© Dr. H 2023