give a new name to denote a change of character, or to indicate a man's
position among men. Abram's name was changed to Abraham--"Father of a
multitude"--when the promise was sealed to him. Jacob's name, which
meant supplanter, one who lived by deceit, was changed to Israel, a
prince with God, after that night when the old nature was maimed and
defeated while he wrestled with God, and overcame by clinging in faith
and trust. So Simon received a new name when he came to Jesus, and
began his friendship with him. "Thou shalt be called Cephas."

This did not mean that Simon's character was changed instantly into the
quality which the new name indicated. It meant that Jesus saw in him
the possibilities of firmness, strength, and stability, of which a
stone is the emblem. It meant that this should be his character by and
by, when the work of grace in him was finished. The new name was a
prophecy of the man that was to be, the man that Jesus would make of
him. Now he was only Simon--rash, impulsive, self-confident, vain, and
therefore weak and unstable.

Some of the processes in this making of a man, this transformation of
Simon into Cephas, we may note as we read the story. There were three
years between the beginning of the friendship of Jesus and Simon and
the time when the man was ready for his work. The process was not
easy. Simon had many hard lessons to learn. Self-confidence had to be
changed into humility. Impetuosity had to be chastened and disciplined
into quiet self-control. Presumption had to be awed and softened into
reverence. Thoughtfulness had to grow out of heedlessness. Rashness
had to be subdued into prudence, and weakness had to be tempered into
calm strength. All this moral history was folded up in the words,
"Thou shalt be called Cephas--a stone."

The meeting by the Jordan was the beginning. A new friendship coming
into a life may color all its future, may change its destiny. We never
know what may come of any chance meeting. But the beginning of a
friendship with Jesus has infinite possibilities of good. The giving
of the new name must have put a new thought of life's meaning into
Simon's heart. It must have set a new vision in his soul, and kindled
new aspirations within his breast. Life must have meant more to him
from that hour. He had glimpses of possibilities he had never dreamed
of before. It is always so when Jesus truly comes into any one's life.
A new conception of