Author: Jim Cantelon

Read Luke 3

Key Verse: Luke 3:8 “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance…” John the Baptist must have seemed a rather arrogant fellow to some–how may preachers do you know who address candidates for baptism as a “brood of vipers”? He was so opposite the typical evangelist/prophet with their promotional schemes and follow-up plans. In fact, when people (multitudes of them) showed up for his baptismal ministry, he seemed surprised that they’d come at all–“who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?” Nor was he above knocking religious and national...

Read Luke 1 & 2

Key Verse: Luke 2:30,32 “My eyes have seen Your salvation…a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the story of Your people Israel.” I’m a Gentile; a Gentile who, with his family lived among Jewish friends and neighbours for seven years in Jerusalem. We speak Hebrew (Kathy and the children, fluently–I, not so fluently), and we have an intimate knowledge of, and great respect for, Jewish culture and religion. In fact, even after being back in Canada this past year and a half, our kids still feel more Israeli than Canadian. Friends and acquaintances here...

October 28,2020

Matthew 5 Divorce vv.31 & 32 – Part 3 In Mt. 19:3-9 Jesus was “tested” by the Pharisees with the question, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any and every reason?” King Herod, who ruled during Jesus’ life, had divorced his wife Herodias, and, as I’ve already pointed out, there was a great polarity of thought within Judaism itself. The Essenes were celibates, the Hillelites were liberals — a man could divorce his wife for burning his dinner! And the Shamai-ites were ultra-conservative — no divorce except for adultery. If...

Read Mark 16

Key Verse: Mark 16:6 “…He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.” One of the important ingredients in the resurrection of Jesus is the fact of His death. Jesus really died. Just like our ancestors have done. Just like you and I will do. Why is this so important? Here’s why. Please indulge me as I quote from my book, “Theology for non-Theologians”: “…there have been two classic mistakes throughout history whenever Christians have attempted to explain the person of Jesus Christ. One is very practical–‘Jesus simply...

Read Mark 15

Key Verse: Mark 15:39 “…Truly this man was the Son of God.” So why are you a Christian? Because you were raised that way? Perhaps it’s because of Sunday School, or the witness of a friend. Maybe reading the Bible did it. Whatever. But why a Christian, rather than a Buddhist or Muslim? Why not an atheist? There’s only one answer to that: “Jesus”. Never in the history of this planet has there ever been such a man. For those who’ve been confronted by His presence, or who’ve taken the time to study His ministry and personal claims, there’s...

Read Mark 14

Key Verse: Mark 14:31 & 50 “…’If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’ And they all said likewise…then they all forsook Him and fled.” I can identify with the disciples. they were keen, energetic fellows, with more than their fair share of courage–it takes a brave man to parry the ardent questions and objections of friends, relatives, and a wife concerning a three year stint of irresponsible wandering with a zealot from Galilee. I can just hear Peter’s wife asking, “But how do you expect to pay this year’s taxes if you...

Read Mark 13

Key Verse: Mark 13:10 “And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.” Prophecy is a hot subject these days. Especially as we’ve just entered the 1990”s, the last decade of this millenium. There are all kinds of self-made prophets out there, ready and more than willing to predict the future. Then there are the Bible prophecy experts, all preaching their interpretations, so various that the sum total is decidedly uncertain at best and confusing at least. What really complicates the picture, though, is that these prophets and their followers tend to take it personally...

Read Mark 12

Key Verse: Mark 12:30 “…Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength…” I think we need to establish something right off the top–it’s possible to love someone you don’t like. Why? Because love is an act of the will, whereas “like” is the product of the emotions. To like someone means to feel good about him, to love someone means to seek his highest good. And you can seek the highest good of the most dislikeable person on earth, if you choose to. In this chapter, Jesus responds...

October 21, 2020

Matthew 5 Divorce vv.31 & 32 – Part 2 Remember that it was a man’s world. The liberal view of Hillel, the convenience divorce of Greece and Rome, and the syntheses of these cultural norms all led to a man-sided approach. Shamai, although accused of legalism, sided with the woman. He did not want to see women with no rights, especially when it came to the protection and nurture she deserved as a mother and homemaker. Her rights must be recognized and defended. Moses and Jesus agreed. A woman was not a “throw-away”. Indeed, the whole point of Moses providing a “certificate...

Read Mark 11

Key Verse: Mark 11:9 “…Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Have you ever thought you’d like to be famous? A household name? You know, someone whom people recognize on the street, write articles about and adulate? And, as you fantasize, you undoubtedly see yourself accepting all this adoration rather quietly and modestly. “I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I’m just an average person–your everyday nice guy.” Pretty heady stuff, nonetheless. But there’s something headier still. Being adored is one thing; being...