English: Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter by Pietro Perugino (1481-82) Fresco, 335 x 550 cm Cappella Sistina, Vatican. Ελληνικά: Λεπτομέρεια από την νωπογραφία του Πιέτρο Περουτζίνο, Ο Χριστός Παραδίδει τα Κλειδιά στον Πέτρο, 335 x 600 cm, Καπέλα Σιξτίνα, Πόλη του Βατικανού. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Hey person, I don’t know if I like this next Bible story. Can’t you just tell another one about swimming – or fishing?
Okay, I’ll listen to the story. But if there’s no fish in it I want some treats when you’re finished.
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Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi and he asked his disciples, “Who do people say I am?”
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I know who he is. He’s the guy who makes lots of fish appear.
Yes, I’m listening.
***
The disciples replied to Jesus, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
***
God must really love us to send His Son to give us lots of fish.
I am listening, but don’t you think that was a really important observation I just made?
***
Jesus told Peter he was blessed because it was the Father in heaven who revealed to him who Jesus is, and He told His disciples not to tell anyone that He is the Christ.
Then He began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
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Wouldn’t the disciples protect Jesus?
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Peter had that idea and he began to rebuke Jesus saying, “Never, Lord. This shall never happen to you!”
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I bet Jesus felt better after that.
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This is what Jesus said to Peter. “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
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I bet Peter tucked his tail between his legs after that.
***
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?”
***
If I have to deny myself to follow Jesus, does that mean I have to give up treats?
bongodogblog 
rumpydog
July 7, 2013 at 11:05 am
That’s a lot easier said than done, ya know. There’s many temptations to be “of the world,” even from people who claim to follow Jesus. I think us dogs would know who Jesus was and would follow him. But June Buggie says I’d follow anybody with a cookie in his hand.
Bongo
July 12, 2013 at 4:40 pm
Rumpy, I bet Jesus would have cookies for us all the time.
marina kanavaki
July 7, 2013 at 1:58 pm
Ah, you get another kind of treat, Bongo!!!
🙂
Bongo
July 12, 2013 at 4:41 pm
Marina, I guess Jesus knows how to give out all kinds of treats.
Paula Hodges
July 7, 2013 at 5:13 pm
Laura, I really can’t believe you posted this.😧😢
eripanwkevin
July 8, 2013 at 7:24 am
Hmmm….to be honest, today’s post was difficult for me to understand…because I don’t get why anyone who would come after Jesus has to deny him ? I dont get what it means….besides why Jesus called Peter as “Satan?”
Bongo
July 12, 2013 at 4:56 pm
Kevin, my person says this is a hard story – even for most Christians. Jesus came to earth to die on the cross for us – that was His plan from the beginning. When Peter told Jesus that wouldn’t happen to Him, Peter was thinking from a worldly perspective and not seeing things from God’s perspective. Jesus was not really calling Peter Satan – but Jesus not dying on a cross was what Satan wanted – because that is what Jesus had to do to defeat death and save us from our sins. As far as denying ourselves – to follow Jesus we have to give up many of our worldly desires in order to live a life that honors Jesus. The Bible teaches that it isn’t easy to follow Jesus, but it’s worth it to be able to have eternal life with Him.
eripanwkevin
July 13, 2013 at 7:24 am
Thank you very much for the explanation of the story, Bongo. It helps me a lot to understand it. 🙂
colliesofthemeadow
July 14, 2013 at 6:24 am
Great story! We are so glad you post them here. The collies say they are bearing their cross.. the old guy! snicker..
-Ginger and the collies
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 3:51 pm
Ginger and the Collies, we all have to bear our cross in some way or another. But it sounds like you’d better take over that hammock again Ginger. Dump your dad right out into the dirt – oops, I’d better get off. My person is trying to read over my shoulder.
colliesofthemeadow
July 14, 2013 at 3:59 pm
Dumped him in the dirt today…. hehehehe
Bongo
July 14, 2013 at 4:43 pm
Woo woo!