Author: Jim Cantelon

Read Hebrews 8

Key Verse: Hebrews 8:6 “But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which He is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded in better promises” (NIV). In verse seven, the writer say, “if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no placed would have been sought for another.” The covenant he refers to is the “expanded” version — that is, it refers not only to God’s promise to Abraham, but to the Ten Commandments given to Moses and the Law that resulted. It’s the covenant that was...

July 1, 2020

Matthew 5 The Merciful v.7 First a word from Shakespeare, and then Jesus’ brother James: “The quality of very is not strain’d It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest; It blesses him that gives and him that takes: ‘Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes The throned monarch better than his crown” (Merchant of Venice, Act 4, Sc 1). And, “Judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not be merciful. Mercy trumps over judgment” (Ja. 2:13) Then there’s the old French proverb: “to know all...

Read Hebrews 7

Key Verse: Hebrews 7:15, 16 “And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestors but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life” (NIV). Who was Melchizedek? There are only two references to him outside of the book of Hebrews (Gen.14:18; Ps.110:4). In the Genesis account, he appears in the context of a conflict between nine kings (four against five). The area of battle was Sodom and Gomorrah. The winners, under King Chedorlaomer of Elam, carried off the spoil...

Read Hebrews 6

Key Verse: Hebrews 6:1,2 “Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgement.” (NIV) Notice what the author calls “elementary teachings”: repentance, faith in God, baptism, laying on of hands, resurrection, and eternal judgment. These are the foundational doctrines and are to be learned early. But, for those who are “going on to maturity”,...

June 29, 2020

I’ve been cohosting an Internet prayer meeting over the past few months (biblediscoverytv.com) and have been pleased at the altruistic tone of the prayer requests. Yes there have been personal needs presented but many have asked prayer for others. There was/is an old prayer song sung in church when I was a kid-“Others, Lord, yes others. Let this my motto be. Help me to live for others that I might live for thee”. This simple lyric captures a basic biblical truth: we’re to love God, others, and self if we are both righteous and just. Faith is not about navel gazing. Rather it has a worldview...

Read Hebrews 5

Key Verse: Hebrews 5:14 “But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (NIV). What is this “solid food” the author speaks of? In the context it’s verses 7-10: “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He as heard because of his reverent submission. Although He was a son, He learned obedience from what He suffered and, once made perfect, He became the source of eternal salvation for...

Read Hebrews 4

Key Verse: Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (NIV). Why do so many people have strong opinions about “the Word of God?” Is it because they’re not sure they can trust a book that has undergone several translation in history? Is it because they’re not sure they can trust those who have interpreted that word (a good old-fashioned distrust of preachers)? Or is it simply that they cannot...

Read Hebrews 3

Key Verse: Hebrews 3:3 “Jesus has been found worthy of greater honour than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honour than the house itself” (NIV). As was stated in the introduction, this book was written to inform and/or remind Hebrew believers in Christ that Jesus’ sacrifice on Calvary was superior to any previous sin offering. In chapter three, the author refers to creation as God’s “house” (vv.2-6) and he discusses the role Moses, Jesus, and the believer all play in that structure. Jesus built the house; Moses wrote the house rules; and you...

Read Hebrews 2

Key Verse: Hebrews 2:17 “Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.” The key to understanding verses 5 through 18 of chapter 2 is verse 14: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death–that is, the devil…” (NIV). Here’s the reasoning: In order for God to deal once and for all with man’s sin, he had...

June 24, 2020

Matthew 5 Those who Crave Righteousness v.6 Ps. 37 is not alone. Again and again the Old Testament speaks of the short shelf-life of the godless rich, and the long, everlasting future that awaits the virtuous poor. The young Virgin Mary captured it in what we not know as “The Magnificat” when she said, “God has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent empty away” (Lk. 1:53). The poor are hungry for righteousness. We’re talking about a real hunger and thirst — a healthy, hearty spiritual appetite. It’s something that transcends our...