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A larger than life character from the "Jesus Files" who in his day
to day life in Jerusalem first century AD, is often a first-hand eye-witness
of the teachings, miracles and ministries of Jesus Christ, aswell as His
interactions with others, people whom Perez often knows.
Perez is first met, with his characteristic 'little green hat'. He began with
a dubious business, working out of the Temple in Jerusalem - "Perez'
Perfect Pigeons". A great sale pitch too - "You do the sinning
and I'll do the wringing!" After a full day's business of selling
pigeons, Perez has pouched his money, and is making his way out, when he
hears a commotion of animals, yelling, money spilling in the Temple with a
man, Jesus of Nazareth, loudly proclaiming
"Get
those out of here!
How dare you turn my Father's house into a market"
(John 2v16 - NIV)
These words cut Perez to the core - convicting him of his
dishonest and opportunistic money making scam. Weeping and throwing his pouch
of money and himself to the ground, he turns away from his old life, and
dedicates himself to following Jesus around. A new business venture opens up
to him as well, "Perez' Perfect Pita-bread".
Perez is no scholar. But he is a thinker. Often the words of Jesus do
confuse him, but that has never put him off from thinking over and pondering
Christ's words. He is a living example of Paul's encouragement to Timothy.
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