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.
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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.”
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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?
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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.
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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?”
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If I have to deny myself to follow Jesus, does that mean I have to give up treats?
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