Banquet With The King

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Do You Fast...or Celebrate?

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, "Why don't your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?" Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved." Matthew 9:14-17

Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?" Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins." Mark 2:18-22

One day some people said to Jesus, "John the Baptist's disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?" Jesus responded, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast." Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn't even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say." Luke 5:33-39

Meditate on fasting.

These scripture passages are all so similar. Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples (Luke 6:13-16), and so it is assumed that he was there with Jesus when He taught these parables associated with fasting. He was there when Jesus was arrested in the Garden. Mark, also known as John Mark, wrote an account of the arrest of Jesus that mentions a young man who runs away in a sheet, which is taken away. That guy is assumed to be Mark, who wrote that book. Later, he traveled with Paul and then with his cousin, Barnabus (Acts 15:37 and Colossians 4:10). Luke was not a disciple of Jesus, but he also traveled with Paul and likely heard the stories directly from Mark. The stories were passed around and written down, building the Gospel account of Jesus.

Do you fast or celebrate and eat?
Buffet at a hotel at the Dead Sea.
Israel

Fasting, going without food, for the purpose of devotion to God, was what people expected of Jesus and His disciples. But, Jesus used a couple of parables to illustrate the point that He and His disciples were not fasting. Those parables included a groom at a wedding, a patch made of new fabric, and putting new wine in old wineskins. He simply used examples of real life that people would understand. No one wants to fast at a wedding celebration. Rejoice and be happy—enjoy the time and people while you are alive and well.

Women knew the importance of using old or preshrunk fabric to repair a torn garment. If new fabric is used, it will shrink when it is washed, thus tearing the old fabric. Similar idea describes the use of with the wineskins. Wineskins need to expand as the wine continues to ferment after it is put in the wine bags. If old wineskins are used, they will burst as the new wine expands. So that means the wine and the wineskins will both will be ruined, lost. Good examples that were applicable to that time. We don’t use wineskins these days, and quite frankly, when was the last time you heard about someone mending torn fabric at all, whether with new or old fabric?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Jesus enjoyed good food and good company. Can you imagine Him laughing and singing at a wedding party? He was practical when it came to illustrating and comparing different situations in His parables.

Do you fast or celebrate while we wait on the bridegroom?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for these parables and the consideration of fasting. Fasting is good not only for losing weight, but also for focusing on You, devoting our time and energy to building our relationship with You. May we rejoice and then fast as the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. Help us to apply Your word to our lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9 NKJV

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Banquet Time

Invite Jesus to a Banquet at your home.
Levi did--along with many other people.
Jesus and His disciples were feasting at the
Richland Naz Church Last Supper drama.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." Luke 5:29-32

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:15-17

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matthew 9:10-13

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

Scum!? Those righteous Pharisees considered the tax collectors and others to be scum. But who needed a doctor?

Jesus said…Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. Do you need a doctor? What kind of doctor? A physician to heal your body? A psychologist for your mental stability? Or a specialist—like Jesus—for your spiritual health?

Jesus was the great physician. He could and did it all. He healed the blind and lame (Matthew 15:30), cured the demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16), and offered eternal life to everyone who believes (John 5:24). Do you need a doctor…or do you need more of Jesus in your life? How do you get more of Jesus? Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal more of Jesus and anoint your life with a deeper understanding. Then read God’s Word expecting to receive a blessing, wisdom, and understanding. Does that seem too simple to do? Well, if you seek Jesus with all of your heart, you will find Him.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NASB

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NLT

What a great promise…

I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs 8:17 NASB

Claim that promise…seek the Lord and find Him. He is worth the search…eternally worth it! And when you find Him…like a treasure…share Him with others. Job’s friend counseled him…

If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. Job 5:8-9

God is still in the miracle business. He still loves and cares about people. Seek Him while you can find Him.

What do you learn from Jesus in this passage?

Prayer – Lord God, I treasure that You have allowed me to “find” You…to see You in all that I do. You provide me with everything I need and more…from parking places, warm clothes during the cold winter, a comfortable home, and a loving family. I have it all…and You. I look forward to seeing You face to face one day….and throughout eternity. Please continue to bless me, my family and friends, and all who read this blog…and especially search for You in Your Word today.

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

Portions recycled from 2018, Banquet With The King blog

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®,

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Follow Me And Be My Disciple

Then Jesus went out to the lakeshore again and taught the crowds that were coming to him. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up and followed him. Mark 2:13-14

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Matthew 9:9

Later, as Jesus left the town, he saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at his tax collector's booth. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Levi got up, left everything, and followed him. Luke 5:27-28

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ calling, “Follow Me.”

Pay your taxes.
Give to Caesar what is Caesar's.
Give to God what is His.

Taxes. Are you ready for the 2025 taxes? Maybe you’ve already prepared yours—time is drawing close since the Tax Deadline is less than a month away. The Romans oppressed the Israelis—and all the Roman Empire—during Jesus’ time with taxes. The farmers were taxed until they sold their land to pay their taxes, and then they became the tenant farmers of the land they once owned. Can you imagine that the Sea of Galilee was even taxed as if the fishermen were renting the area where they fished? And then the fisherman were also taxed for their catches. That is just what is described in the book “Life in Year One” by Scott Korb. It is no wonder that the Israelites felt oppressed, overtaxed, and rebellious. This is the condition of the society where Levi, a young Jewish man also known as Matthew, lived and worked as a tax collector for the Romans. The Jews didn’t trust him, but Jesus called him to become a disciple. Levi obediently followed. He left everything and became a believer in Jesus as the Messiah.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Jesus chose men from all different walks of life, and they followed Him. I imagine that He had a charismatic personality. People were drawn to Him. There is no mention of Jesus healing anyone at this point in His chronological story, but it is possible that He spiritually healed Levi, as the tax collector joined Jesus troupe. Read on in the story.

How about you? Are you willing to give up everything and follow Jesus? Do you hear Him calling you?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to see others as You see them. Levi wasn’t well-liked by the Jewish community. They didn’t trust him, but You did. Is there someone who needs to know and trust You? You had Solomon write in Proverbs: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6. Actually, different translations say it a bit differently. The NLT says… Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6. Seek His will in all you do…that is important. We have the promise that if we seek Him, we will find Him. I love You and seek You, Lord, with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Here You are…with me. Thank you.

Verse of Salvation ~ I trust in you for salvation, O LORD! Genesis 49:18

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, March 23, 2026

Your Sins are Forgiven – Jump Up and Go or We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before

St. Francis statue in Capernaum.
Like Jesus known for compassion,
holiness and peace.
One day while Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and teachers of religious law were sitting nearby. (It seemed that these men showed up from every village in all Galilee and Judea, as well as from Jerusalem.) And the Lord's healing power was strongly with Jesus. Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a sleeping mat. They tried to take him inside to Jesus, but they couldn't reach him because of the crowd. So they went up to the roof and took off some tiles. Then they lowered the sick man on his mat down into the crowd, right in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the man, "Young man, your sins are forgiven." Luke 5:17-20

Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven." Matthew 9:1-2

When Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, the news spread quickly that he was back home. Soon the house where he was staying was so packed with visitors that there was no more room, even outside the door. While he was preaching God's word to them, four men arrived carrying a paralyzed man on a mat. They couldn't bring him to Jesus because of the crowd, so they dug a hole through the roof above his head. Then they lowered the man on his mat, right down in front of Jesus. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "My child, your sins are forgiven." But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, "What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!" Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why do you question this in your hearts? Is it easier to say to the paralyzed man 'Your sins are forgiven,' or 'Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk'? So I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" And the man jumped up, grabbed his mat, and walked out through the stunned onlookers. They were all amazed and praised God, exclaiming, "We've never seen anything like this before!" Mark 2:1-12

Meditate. Consider what you expected Jesus to do or say.

Jesus knew what the Pharisees were thinking. Can you imagine how Jesus was hearing, and still is hearing, everyone’s thoughts at once? Was it noisy? Amazing how He can filter all of it out and focus on just the ones on which He comments. He knew that they thought He was blaspheming God. They weren’t caring about the miraculous healing of the paralytic. They just wanted to trip up Jesus and discredit or accuse Him of a sin. Jesus was sinless.

What wonderful friends this young man had! They knew Jesus could heal him, so they carried him from his home to Peter’s house where Jesus was staying. It was so crowded that they couldn’t get in. Up on the roof they went. There were likely steps up on the outside of the house, since that was a common architecture feature at that time. Ingeniously, they removed a section of the roof and lowered their friend right down to Jesus! What a friend! Jesus healed the young man, but a big part of this story is the reaction of the Pharisees. What would have been your reaction to this situation? Would you have been praising the Lord, along with the former paralytic and his friends? Or would you have been criticizing Jesus for forgiving sins? Jesus was who He was. He was the great I Am. He could and did forgive sins. Did the Pharisees think they were sinless, or that they needed to be forgiven of their sins, too?

Not only the Pharisees, but probably everyone present, were amazed and thought or said, “We've never seen anything like this before!” What would you have said?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Once again, compassion with His healing words. Encouraging. Forgiving. Honest. Integrity – doesn’t back down under Pharisees’ accusations.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, Thank You. You are obedient, compassionate, forgiving, honest, and loving. You are generous with Your healing. Please continue to touch our friends and family who have health issues and need Your merciful healing and encouragement.

Verse of Salvation ~ Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your name. Psalm 79:9

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Be Healed

In one of the villages, Jesus met a man with an advanced case of leprosy. When the man saw Jesus, he bowed with his face to the ground, begging to be healed. "Lord," he said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus instructed him not to tell anyone what had happened. He said, "Go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." But despite Jesus' instructions, the report of his power spread even faster, and vast crowds came to hear him preach and to be healed of their diseases. But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:12-16

A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. "If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean," he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. Then Jesus sent him on his way with a stern warning: "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn't publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him. Mark 1:40-45

Down from the mountainside.

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. "Lord," the man said, "if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean." Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, "Don't tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed." Matthew 8:1-4

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture.

God was protecting His creation—people—as He established the laws like those for skin diseases listed in Leviticus 13. Leprosy was a disease that was very contagious, uncurable, and feared during Biblical times. It is a sad disease that attacks the nerves, muscles, and skin, causing the skin to rot away, deforming the person. It is caused by bacteria, so with modern medicine, it is now treatable, and found not to be contagious by casual contact. Few people have it today.

A person with leprosy was isolated from their community and as they traveled, they had to shout “unclean” to warn others nearby of their disease. You can imagine how this man whom the Lord healed, was overjoyed. He was told to Don't tell anyone about this…but of course he was so happy that he was probably dancing and singing on his way to the priest for confirmation of his cure. Everyone could see that he was healed, so in turn they told others about this miracle performed by Jesus. It is no surprise that Jesus became so well known that He had to retreat from public view. No privacy for this poor guy! He withdrew to the hills where He could go talk to His Father uninterrupted. Imagine that conversation. “Hey Dad, what’s next? What should I do about all these needy folks? Why can’t they listen and be obedient…and not yap about everything they see? How are things back home? I miss the peace and quiet of Heaven.”

Jesus provided salvation from disease to that leper—and salvation for all mankind from spiritual sins. People came to Him with diseases, but left with hope of an eternal future. Jesus told the leper He was willing to cleanse him. Be healed. That healing was likely physical and spiritual. Visualize how that man’s life changed. Relationships could be renewed with family and friends. Life could be normal.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Compassion. Gentleness. Honesty. Hope. What are you seeking from the Lord?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, did You miss Heaven while You were here on earth? It was very gracious of You to heal this man with leprosy…and all the others. Thank You for that…and for healing me of my minor irritations, for healing and encouraging my family and friends with their infirmities, trials, and tribulations. You are still the miracle worker! I praise You.

Verse of Salvation ~ This is what the LORD says: "At just the right time, I will respond to you. On the day of salvation I will help you. I will protect you and give you to the people as my covenant with them. Through you I will reestablish the land of Israel and assign it to its own people again. Isaiah 49:8

Happy Birthday Isaac!
Blessing today and always!

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

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Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed, he healed them all. Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River. Matthew 4:23-25

But he replied, "I must preach the Good News of the Kingdom of God in other towns, too, because that is why I was sent." So he continued to travel around, preaching in synagogues throughout Judea. Luke 4:43-44

So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:39

Meditate on these verses.

Jesus traveled. He could have just stayed in one place, like Capernaum, with everyone bringing the sick to Him, but He went to them, and they continued to follow Him, coming from beyond the Promised Land…the land of the Jews. The Ten Towns were Greek and Roman cities in the Gentile region east of the Jordan River, revealing that His mission already was to more than the Jewish people.

People with all kinds of diseases were brought to Jesus, and He healed them. It didn’t matter to Him what the disease was, where they lived, or what they did—He healed them. I think that He was showing that He loved them by restoring them physically, mentally, and spiritually. His preaching was naturally done in the synagogues where the Jewish people were accustomed to coming regularly to worship and to be taught. After all, Jesus was a Jew, so the synagogue was a place within His comfort zone. As the Jews lived in many different areas from earlier dispersions, there were synagogues or worship places across the whole Roman empire, especially in the Jewish regions of Galilee or Judea.

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage? We are reminded that Jesus is compassionate and loving, as shown by His generous healing of so many people with different diseases. He may have originally come to save the Jews, but He very quickly progressed to offering the Good News, His plan of salvation, to everyone.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for including the Gentiles in Your plan of salvation—Your Good News. I’m a Gentile, grafted into Your family. I feel so blessed to be part of God’s Family—and to call Him Abba Father. Even though not all of my prayers are answered the way I want…as soon as I want, I know that You hear my prayers—and our Heavenly Father has a plan. Life is not about me…it is about You! I praise You, and I am honored to know, serve, and love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Share these home-grown potatoes
with the hungry.
Good advice to care for those in need.

Verses of Salvation ~ No, this is the kind of fasting I want: Free those who are wrongly imprisoned; lighten the burden of those who work for you. Let the oppressed go free, and remove the chains that bind people. Share your food with the hungry, and give shelter to the homeless. Give clothes to those who need them, and do not hide from relatives who need your help. Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:6-8

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

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Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Do You Fast...or Celebrate?

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Banquet Time

Tuesday, March 24, 2026

Follow Me And Be My Disciple

Monday, March 23, 2026

Your Sins are Forgiven – Jump Up and Go or We’ve Never Seen Anything Like This Before

Sunday, March 22, 2026

Be Healed

Happy Birthday Isaac!Blessing today and always!

Saturday, March 21, 2026

Happy Birthday Isaac!
Blessing today and always!