Question: “Why did Jesus Change People’s Names?”

In John chapter 1, Jesus saw Peter, and called him “stone”.  Why did Jesus change people’s names?

It was sort of like He gave them knicknames.  He wasn’t aloof and untouchable.   He loved them as individuals, and let them know that by giving them special names which meant something to Him and them.  He saw their hearts, and He saw what was in their future, so He gave them these special names based also on what He knew they would someday accomplish for Him.

Did you know He loves each one of us just that much, too?  Enough to have special names for us – knicknames.   Look at Revelation 2:17  – a promise made by Jesus to Christians who are trusting in Him:   ” To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.”

Since He loves all of us that much, you can see why He had to do something to solve our sin problem – He wants a relationship with us…but He knows we are hopeless sinners and can’t make ourselves good enough for Him.