Banquet With The King

Tuesday, September 8, 2026

Who is Blinded from the Truth?

Synagogue at Capernaum in Israel.
Would they be expelled...
...if they said Jesus was the healer...
the Messiah?
Who is Jesus to you?

(Continued story of a man born blind whom Jesus healed on the Sabbath in Jerusalem.) Some of the Pharisees said, "This man Jesus is not from God, for he is working on the Sabbath." Others said, "But how could an ordinary sinner do such miraculous signs?" So there was a deep division of opinion among them. Then the Pharisees again questioned the man who had been blind and demanded, "What's your opinion about this man who healed you?" The man replied, "I think he must be a prophet." The Jewish leaders still refused to believe the man had been blind and could now see, so they called in his parents. They asked them, "Is this your son? Was he born blind? If so, how can he now see?" His parents replied, "We know this is our son and that he was born blind, but we don't know how he can see or who healed him. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who had announced that anyone saying Jesus was the Messiah would be expelled from the synagogue. That's why they said, "He is old enough. Ask him." John 9:16-23 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider fear of authorities.

Are you afraid of someone in authority? Do you slow down when you see a Police car, even if you weren’t speeding? Of course you pay your taxes on time, out of respect…or fear…of consequences with the government. The parents of this man who was born blind were afraid of the Jewish leaders. They didn’t want to be banned or expelled from synagogue or Temple attendance. They would lose their prestige in their community. No, they would rather keep their standing with the Jewish community than stand up for their son and Jesus, admitting that Jesus had restored their son’s sight.

Would you stand up for Jesus in a situation like this?

What do we learn about Jesus from the continuation of this story of the man born blind?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, open our eyes to the truth with no fear…and help us to not only stand up for the healing power that You have, but to share Your Good News with everyone—even people in the church. They may be the very ones who don’t believe. Those whose eyes are blinded to the truth.

Verse of Salvation ~ "Are you the Messiah we've been expecting, or should we keep looking for someone else?" Jesus told them, "Go back to John and tell him what you have heard and seen-- the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor." And he added, "God blesses those who do not fall away because of me." Matthew 11:3-6

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

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

Monday, September 7, 2026

Care About Yourself and Others

One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "Right!" Jesus told him. "Do this and you will live!" Luke 10:25-28

Meditate.

Look in the mirrow.
What do you see?

Look at yourself in the mirror…or just think about yourself as God would see you…
What one quality do you see?
   Loving
Joyful
   Peaceful
   Patient
   Kindness
   Goodness
   Faithfulness
   Gentleness
   Self-controlled / Spirit controlled
   Honesty
   Wisdom
   Understanding
   Compassion
   Generosity
Other qualities as reflections of our Lord.

Do you like who you are? I would hope so…God made you in His image. He formed you in your mother’s womb.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. Psalm 139:13-16

For a lot of people at some point in our lives we have a low image of ourselves or low self-esteem. If we don’t love ourselves, it is hard to love others. It is so very important to God that we love others—they are His creation, too—that Jesus mentioned that as one of two important commandments He wants us to follow. Love God. Love others as we love ourselves.

How can we love ourselves? Find one quality that God loves about you. Look at the list above. Are any of those qualities part of your character?

Not how pretty you are, but how kind you are.

Not that you wear nice clothes…or drive a fancy car, but that you are compassionate towards those with handicaps, in poverty, or in a disaster like a flood or fire.

God loves you just the way you are—but as Jesus saves you…you change beginning with the renewing of your mind. Renewal is continual—not just a one-time event, but the best time to start is now.

Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God--truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:21-24

Let the Holy Spirit renew your mind—that you would think, say and do things that would honor the Lord Jesus Christ, the Heavenly Father, and the Holy Spirit. There may only be a short time before Christ calls His followers home. Be ready…by loving God, loving yourself and loving others. That is just what God expects you to do.

Prayer – We’re ready. Come quickly, Lord Jesus.

Verse of Salvation ~ Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you. 1 Timothy 4:16

Happy Labor Day

Leave your comments below.

Take a Day Off – Labor Day! Portions from September 6, 2021, Banquet With The King blog.

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

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

Sunday, September 6, 2026

I Can See!

(Continued story of a man born blind.) His neighbors and others who knew him as a blind beggar asked each other, "Isn't this the man who used to sit and beg?" Some said he was, and others said, "No, he just looks like him!" But the beggar kept saying, "Yes, I am the same one!" They asked, "Who healed you? What happened?" He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.' So I went and washed, and now I can see!" "Where is he now?" they asked. "I don't know," he replied. Then they took the man who had been blind to the Pharisees, because it was on the Sabbath that Jesus had made the mud and healed him. The Pharisees asked the man all about it. So he told them, "He put the mud over my eyes, and when I washed it away, I could see!" John 9:8-15

Meditate on miracles.

Fragments of ancient coins found in Israel.
Alms. Alms for the blind.
I once was blind...but now I see.

The man born blind was healed by Jesus. He could see! He was referred to as a beggar because as a blind man in that era of history, he had no way to earn a living except begging. Alms—alms for the blind! We can imagine him calling out to those entering the synagogue, the pool of Siloam, or even the Temple. They were in Jerusalem—so on any street corner—people may have encountered beggars. This particular one was healed, so he would no longer be begging for a living. For now, his neighbors, others, and the Pharisees just wanted to know who it was that healed him. Who was it?

It was Jesus! Where is He now? I don’t know. This happened on the Sabbath when no work was allowed. Was it work to heal someone? Jesus had healed on the Sabbath before and this just gave the Pharisees more reason to hate and condemn Him.

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer. Luke 14:1-6

There were similar healing accounts in the following passages:

A man with a deformed hand – Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; and Luke 6:6-11

A few people in Nazareth – Mark 6:1-5

A crippled woman – Luke 13:10-17

A lame man at the pool of Bethesada – John 5:1-15.

The Pharisees challenged Jesus about working on the Sabbath at each healing occasion. They were just looking for a reason to discredit Him and to kill Him. Was it a simple case of jealously? They couldn’t heal on any day, let alone the Sabbath. Was Jesus the Messiah? From whom did He get His power? There were lots of questions. The Pharisees didn’t have the answers, but they didn’t trust Jesus.

Do you trust Jesus? He still has the power to forgive sins, to heal, to be your Savior, the Messiah.

What do we learn today about Jesus from this passage of Scripture?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for healing that blind beggar, and each of us. Without You and the forgiveness you offer, we would be blinded by a heavy load of sin and shame just like that blind man.

Verse of Salvation ~ As for us, we can't help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord. We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth. He called you to salvation when we told you the Good News; now you can share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. With all these things in mind, dear brothers and sisters, stand firm and keep a strong grip on the teaching we passed on to you both in person and by letter. Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-17

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

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

Saturday, September 5, 2026

Why Heal?

I once was blind...but now I see.

As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. "Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents' sins?" "It was not because of his sins or his parents' sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world." Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man's eyes. He told him, "Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam" (Siloam means "sent"). So the man went and washed and came back seeing! John 9:1-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate on healing.

This event, when Jesus healed a man who was born blind, occurred in Jerusalem when Jesus was there for the Feast of Tabernacles. Jesus had a powerful healing ministry. Here are a few examples of Him healing the blind. Some of these had not happened yet at the time of this healing of the man born blind.

Then a demon-possessed man, who was blind and couldn't speak, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he could both speak and see. Matthew 12:22 (at Capernaum)

A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn't speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. Matthew 15:30 (near the Sea of Galilee)

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. Matthew 21:14 (Jerusalem at the Temple)

Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village. Then, spitting on the man's eyes, he laid his hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything now?" The man looked around. "Yes," he said, "I see people, but I can't see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around." Then Jesus placed his hands on the man's eyes again, and his eyes were opened. His sight was completely restored, and he could see everything clearly. Mark 8:23-25 (at Bethsaida)

"What do you want me to do for you?" Jesus asked. "My Rabbi," the blind man said, "I want to see!" And Jesus said to him, "Go, for your faith has healed you." Instantly the man could see, and he followed Jesus down the road. Mark 10:51-52 (at Jericho)

Jesus had declared to John’s disciples to report to John, as he was in prison, the miracles that He had performed.

Then he told John's disciples, "Go back to John and tell him what you have seen and heard—the blind see, the lame walk, those with leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor." Luke 7:22

These are things that Jesus came to do. He obediently did just what the Heavenly Father told Him to do. The young man blind from birth that Jesus healed was an instance of healing the blind—but Jesus did so much more. Why heal? Jesus explained that…This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. God’s power was the reason and the mode for this healing miracle. Give God the glory, the honor, and the praise for all the miracles that Jesus did.

What do we learn about the character of Jesus from this Bible passage?

Prayer – Thank You, Lord Jesus, for obediently performing the miracles that God, our Father, asked You to do. I can’t imagine how grateful that man born blind must have felt! He could see! I’ve asked myself if I’m “blind” to something You have the power to correct. Like in the song, “Amazing Grace,” I once was lost, but now am found/ was blind, but now I see. So true. Without You, Jesus, I am eternally lost. Only by Your grace I have found freedom from sin and ultimate death—separation forever from You.

Verses of Salvation ~ All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance--an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. 1 Peter 1:3-5

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

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

Friday, September 4, 2026

What Has Freed You From Sin?

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. Romans 8:1-11 (Underlined for emphasis.)

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

What has freed you from sin?

Paul explained to the people at the church in Rome…and to us…that the Law of Moses, the Ten Commandments, and the sacrificial system that God provided to the Israelites through Moses were not able to save us from our sins. God sacrificed His own Son to put an end to sin—to fulfill the requirements of the Law. The Holy Spirit has control over the Lord’s followers, encouraging them to think about things that please God, and this results in life—eternal life. Sinners don’t live to please God, but think about sinful things that result in death. Everyone’s bodies will die one day, but those who have the Spirit of God—the Holy Spirit—living in them will be given a new life—immortal life.

The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses' face. For his face shone with the glory of God, even though the brightness was already fading away. Shouldn't we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! In fact, that first glory was not glorious at all compared with the overwhelming glory of the new way. So if the old way, which has been replaced, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new, which remains forever! 2 Corinthians 3:7-11

This further explains just what Jesus told the people who believed in Him and the Pharisees as recorded in John 8:31-59. Read these passages of scripture from John and Romans again for yourself. Do you belong to Christ? Has He freed you from sin? The choice is yours.

Prayer – Lord, show us how we can live to please You. You sacrificed Your life for us—and set us free from our sinful nature. What joy fills our hearts and lives! Thank you.

Verses of Salvation ~ We are confident of all this because of our great trust in God through Christ. It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Mock Apple Crisp
One more way to use zucchini.

How much zucchini do you have overflowing from your garden…or available to you from your neighbor, friends, or relatives? How are you using all that excess zucchini? I’ve always wanted to try making a Mock Apple Pie or Crisp using zucchini—so I finally did yesterday. Yum! Several people thought it was made with apples!

Mock Apple Crisp

8 cups zucchini, peeled with seeds removed and cut in ¼ inch slices

½ cup cane sugar

¼ cup lemon juice

1Tbsp cinnamon

½ tsp each nutmeg and coriander

¾ c water

Topping:

1 c soft butter

1 c oatmeal

1 Tbsp cinnamon

¾ c brown sugar

1½ c unbleached flour

Mix peeled zucchini, cane sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, lemon juice, and water in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and boil for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Mix flour, brown sugar, cinnamon, and oatmeal. Add the soft butter, stirring together with a fork.

When the zucchini mixture is cooked, pour it into a 9 x 13 pan (I lightly greased it). Then add the topping, spreading it evenly over the zucchini. Bake for 50-60 minutes until the top is lightly browned. Let cool and serve while still warm, topping with vanilla ice cream, if desired.

Portions reused from November 22, 2024, Banquet With The King blog.

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

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

Thursday, September 3, 2026

No Spiritual Death for Believers

Stones are everywhere...no one had to look far
to find a stone to throw at Jesus.
But He was hidden.
Jerusalem, Israel.

The people retorted, "You Samaritan devil! Didn't we say all along that you were possessed by a demon?" "No," Jesus said, "I have no demon in me. For I honor my Father—and you dishonor me. And though I have no wish to glorify myself, God is going to glorify me. He is the true judge. I tell you the truth, anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!" The people said, "Now we know you are possessed by a demon. Even Abraham and the prophets died, but you say, 'Anyone who obeys my teaching will never die!' Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died, and so did the prophets. Who do you think you are?" Jesus answered, "If I want glory for myself, it doesn't count. But it is my Father who will glorify me. You say, 'He is our God,' but you don't even know him. I know him. If I said otherwise, I would be as great a liar as you! But I do know him and obey him. Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad." The people said, "You aren't even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?" Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!" At that point they picked up stones to throw at him. But Jesus was hidden from them and left the Temple. John 8:48-59 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Meditate. Consider God’s revelation in Scripture.

Jesus declares that He has no demon in Him. But do the Pharisees believe Him? No. They are still rationalizing that His power comes from Satan, even when He explains that God the Father will glorify Him and will give eternal life to those who obey His teachings—which were given to Him by His Father. They just don’t seem to be willing to grasp who Jesus really is.

I AM! Once again, Jesus declares that He is I AM! He existed before Abraham was born, before he trusted in God, and before he set out for the Promised Land. Jesus was there. Jesus stated that… anyone who obeys my teaching will never die! Death was the end of life to the Pharisees—not the beginning of an eternal life, although it was only the Sadducees sect that didn’t believe in Heaven. Jesus claimed that the Pharisees did not know God. Do you?

The Pharisees wanted to stone Jesus—to kill Him. But it was not yet His time to die, so He was hidden from them. Hidden. The mysteries of the Bible may be hidden. Ask God to reveal them to you.

What fact or character trait do you find about Jesus in this Scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, please reveal more about Yourself to me today…and every day. I want to know You more and more. You’ve shown us Yourself and Your Father in Scripture—but please reveal a deeper understanding as I pray, read, and re-read Your words daily. Thank you…for Your sacrifice, for Your life, and for Your blessed teachings.

Verse of Salvation ~ May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God. Philippians 1:11

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

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

Wednesday, September 2, 2026

Who is Your Father?

Our father is Abraham!" they declared. "No," Jesus replied, "for if you were really the children of Abraham, you would follow his example. Instead, you are trying to kill me because I told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham never did such a thing. No, you are imitating your real father." They replied, "We aren't illegitimate children! God himself is our true Father." Jesus told them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, because I have come to you from God. I am not here on my own, but he sent me. Why can't you understand what I am saying? It's because you can't even hear me! For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies. So when I tell the truth, you just naturally don't believe me! Which of you can truthfully accuse me of sin? And since I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me? Anyone who belongs to God listens gladly to the words of God. But you don't listen because you don't belong to God." John 8:39-47

Meditate. Consider Abraham’s relationship to God. Who is your Dad?

Who is Your Father?
Is it that crafty lying devil?

These Jews who were confronting Jesus declared that Abraham was their father. That is just what Jews are. Sons of Abraham. They were also stating that God was their father, but Jesus was telling them that the devil was their father. Because of that, they did evil things, like their lying father. They were not listening to Jesus—so they didn’t understand Him, because they don’t belong to God.

They actually had the nerve to accuse Jesus of sinning. Who did they think they were? Jesus was the only sinless person to have ever lived! Would you ever consider accusing Jesus of sin? We have the advantage of knowing Jesus on this side of the cross. He sacrificed too much for us—His own life, yet He was above reproach. Do you belong to God? If so, then Jesus says you’ll listen to God’s words.

How often do we just listen to our own thoughts and ideas, instead of checking to see if that is in God’s will—His plan? Have you even read your Bible today? Do you have a systematic method for reading your Bible? Are you making notes of the portions of Scripture that really speak to you, what you learned, and can apply to your life? The choice is ours—each step towards or away from the Lord God.

What do you learn about Jesus’ character from this portion of Scripture today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for Your sacrifice. I understand what You are saying to those Pharisees. They just couldn’t believe—but I do. You are the Son of God—the Savior of the world.

Verse of Salvation ~ Victory (Salvation) comes from you, O LORD. May you bless your people. Psalm 3:8

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

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