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Name changes in the Bible signal transformation. In Genesis 17 the Lord changes Abram’s name to Abraham, which means “Father of Many Nations.” In Genesis 32 the Lord changes Abraham’s grandson’s name from Jacob to Israel, which could mean either “Struggles with God,” or perhaps “Prince of God.”

In both cases the name change signals a change. It comes at a significant turning point in the story. It is interesting to note that in the story of Isaac, Isaac’s name (Abraham’s son, and Jacob’s father) does not change. Nor does the name of Jacob’s brother Esau.

In the Gospel, one of Jesus’ disciples receives a new name. The Lord names Simon the fisherman, Peter. After Simon confesses Jesus to be the Christ, Jesus says,

“Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

The name “Peter” means “Rock.” The name change signifies how Simon-Peter’s confession (his faith mingled with courage) becomes the solid-rock foundation upon which the Lord will build his church.

Later Peter extends his name to all people of faith. In 1 Peter 2 he writes to the church, to future disciples,

“You also, as living stones, be built up as a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”

All people of faith become a “Rock.” All who follow Jesus are “living stones” the Lord uses to build up his church – a faithful community that give expression to the heart of God in the midst of the human experience.

In today’s Gospel we hear the only story in the Bible where the Lord takes back a name change. Following his resurrection the Lord calls Peter, Simon. He calls him by his former name. The reason is clear. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Peter denied him three times.

Peter’s commitment failed. Jesus cannot build a faithful covenant community upon a foundation of wavering commitment. On the night Jesus was betrayed Peter proved to be something less than a rock. So, following his resurrection, the Lord called Peter by his previous name, Simon.

At breakfast beside the Sea of Galilee Jesus asks three times, “Simon, do you love me?” Jesus asks three times, one for each of Simon- Peter’s acts of denial. Each time, Simon-Peter replies, “Yes Lord, you know I love you.”

Unfortunately, the Lord does not know that Simon-Peter loves him. What the Lord knows is that Simon-Peter denied him three times. This moment must have been very uncomfortable for Simon-Peter. He knows his failure. He knows that he let Jesus down.

And yet, the Lord loves him. The Lord loves him enough to come to him and to clarify his commitment. His question to Simon-Peter invites him to re-commit to the way of Jesus. The Lord needs rock-solid committed disciples if he is to fulfi ll his purpose in the world.