Monday, August 24, 2026

His Time Had Not Yet Come

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, "Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I'm not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don't know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you." Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come. Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. "After all," they said, "would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?" When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. But Jesus told them, "I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going." The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. "Where is he planning to go?" they asked. "Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! What does he mean when he says, 'You will search for me but not find me,' and 'You cannot go where I am going'?" John 7:28-36

Meditate. Consider God’s timing.

Does anyone really know what time it is?

What does it mean that His time had not yet come? Time for what? That is probably what everyone hearing Him speak at the Temple must have thought. Time? Remember what He said to Mary when He did the water-to-wine miracle?

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus' mother told him, "They have no more wine." "Dear woman, that's not our problem," Jesus replied. "My time has not yet come." But his mother told the servants, "Do whatever he tells you." Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus told the servants, "Fill the jars with water." When the jars had been filled, he said, "Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies." So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. ... This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-9, 11 (underlined for emphasis.)

Water to wine. The first miracle, but not His time. The clock started when He born, and continued to tick away as He was baptized, tempted, began His healing ministry, walked on water, fed 5,000, and obediently did God’s calling. Now, He was going closer to the cross, the grave, and the empty tomb. Not His time?

Is it ever your time to be obedient to God’s calling?

What do we learn about Jesus’ character from this Scripture passage today? Is it deepening your relationship with Him?

Prayer – Lord God, I want to be closer to You every day. Open my eyes to opportunities to respond to Your calling that I may serve You. I know where You were from and where You are now, Jesus. Thank You for obediently serving us by obeying God the Father.

Verses of Salvation ~ While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God's Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. Hebrews 5:7-9 (Emphasis added.)

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

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Sunday, August 23, 2026

Where Did Jesus Come From?

Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, "Isn't this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from." John 7:25-27

Meditate. Consider knowing Scripture predictions.

Where did Jesus come from? Even the Wise Men were expecting the new King of Israel to be born in Bethlehem as they learned from their visit to Herod’s palace. Jesus was born in Bethlehem—but that wasn’t common knowledge, and it wasn’t His hometown. Who’d expect the Messiah to come from Nazareth or even Capernaum?

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2

Life of Christ on the cross...
from Medjugorje.

It doesn’t matter to us where Jesus came from…we know the rest of the story. We know the truth. Jesus came from our Heavenly Father to earth…to Bethlehem…to Nazareth…to Galilee…to Jerusalem and the cross…and then back to Heaven. There will come a day when He returns to earth.

People at the Feast of Tabernacles were asking about Him. Are people today questioning who Jesus is…and where He comes from? Are you questioning who Jesus is and where He comes from?

Do you learn anything about Jesus from this Scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus—You aren’t mysterious. I trust that You are who You are—and where You came from. Please give those reading this new insight into Your life and purpose. I am so looking forward to Your return…someday!

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.

Saturday, August 22, 2026

Do You Obey?

Then, midway through the festival, Jesus went up to the Temple and began to teach. The people were surprised when they heard him. "How does he know so much when he hasn't been trained?" they asked. So Jesus told them, "My message is not my own; it comes from God who sent me. Anyone who wants to do the will of God will know whether my teaching is from God or is merely my own. Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies. Moses gave you the law, but none of you obeys it! In fact, you are trying to kill me." The crowd replied, "You're demon possessed! Who's trying to kill you?" Jesus replied, "I did one miracle on the Sabbath, and you were amazed. But you work on the Sabbath, too, when you obey Moses' law of circumcision. (Actually, this tradition of circumcision began with the patriarchs, long before the law of Moses.) For if the correct time for circumcising your son falls on the Sabbath, you go ahead and do it so as not to break the law of Moses. So why should you be angry with me for healing a man on the Sabbath? Look beneath the surface so you can judge correctly." John 7:14-24

Meditate. Consider obedience.

Model of the Temple in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Israel

The Feast of Tabernacles during Jesus time was a Feast in which Jewish men were required to go to the Temple in Jerusalem. During His third year of ministry, Jesus refused to go to that feast with His brothers, but then after it started, He obediently went to Jerusalem. There Jesus spoke for His Father…our Father. He was teaching in the Temple. What do you suppose He was teaching? It must have been inspiring since the people were surprised and acknowledged that He knew so much. Jesus goes on to say that those who do God’s will discern whether His teaching is from God or His own. Do God’s will….

For it is my Father's will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day." John 6:40

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2

So are you striving to do God’s will? Are you seeking to honor God—speaking the truth? Or do you speak for yourself?

I think this is interesting that Jesus didn’t want to go to Jerusalem because He knew they were trying to kill Him, but He obediently went anyway. It reminds me of a parable He told about two sons who were asked to work in their father’s vineyard.

But what do you think about this? A man with two sons told the older boy, 'Son, go out and work in the vineyard today.' The son answered, 'No, I won't go,' but later he changed his mind and went anyway. Then the father told the other son, 'You go,' and he said, 'Yes, sir, I will.' But he didn't go. "Which of the two obeyed his father?" They replied, "The first." Then Jesus explained his meaning: "I tell you the truth, corrupt tax collectors and prostitutes will get into the Kingdom of God before you do. For John the Baptist came and showed you the right way to live, but you didn't believe him, while tax collectors and prostitutes did. And even when you saw this happening, you refused to believe him and repent of your sins. Matthew 21:28-32

Which son are you like? I think Jesus was like the first one—ultimately obedient. That’s how I want to be. There is always a choice involved. Obedience is the one—the key.

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

Prayer – Thank You, Jesus, for obediently coming to be our Messiah—for being willing to give up Your life for each of us…for all mankind. I’m sorry that people rejected You—but I am eternally grateful that You revealed Yourself to me…that You chose me.

Verse of Salvation ~ There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn't confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other. John 15:13-17

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

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

Friday, August 21, 2026

Courage To Speak Up for Jesus

But after his brothers left for the festival, Jesus also went, though secretly, staying out of public view. The Jewish leaders tried to find him at the festival and kept asking if anyone had seen him. There was a lot of grumbling about him among the crowds. Some argued, "He's a good man," but others said, "He's nothing but a fraud who deceives the people." But no one had the courage to speak favorably about him in public, for they were afraid of getting in trouble with the Jewish leaders. John 7:10-13

Meditate. Consider this joyous festival…and fear.

No courage to speak up for Jesus. They were afraid of getting in trouble with the powerful Jewish leaders. Remember what Joshua was told over and over when he was about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you. Deuteronomy 31:6

Do you ever feel like you need to hear those words? What about Jesus’ words to His disciples?

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33

That is pretty serious. Deny Jesus and He will deny you before our Heavenly Father. Nope, I wouldn’t want that. To be denied before the Father would very likely mean no eternal home in Heaven. That is certainly something we don’t want to miss—an eternity without God. Nope. That is not for me. Do you have the courage to speak up for Jesus in public? This blog is “public” and I am publicly declaring that Jesus is the Son of God. He is God. He is my Savior. Do you feel the same? Similarly, you can publicly acknowledge Jesus by commenting below.

What knowledge do we gain about Jesus from this Scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God—our Savior, protector, counselor, and friend. Please hear our prayers and recognize the depth of our love for You.

Verse of Salvation ~ All who believe in the Son of God know in their hearts that this testimony is true. Those who don't believe this are actually calling God a liar because they don't believe what God has testified about his Son. And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have God's Son does not have life. 1 John 5:10-12

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Zucchini Time! Gardens are overflowing with zucchini at this time in late summer. Enjoy some of this bread soon.

Zucchini Bread

Mix:

3eggs

1 c. oil – use avocado or olive oil

1½ c. sugar – cane or substitute of choice

2 c. grated zucchini

2 tsp vanilla

Mix and add:

3 c. flour

1 tsp salt

1 tsp soda

3 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp baking powder

1 c. nuts and or craisins (optional)

Bake in 2 (9x5) loaf pans at 325 degrees for 1 hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from pans while still warm and cool on a wire rack—if you can wait before you have a warm slice! Enjoy with coffee or a tall glass of cool milk.

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, August 20, 2026

Are You Going to the Festival?

After this, Jesus traveled around Galilee. He wanted to stay out of Judea, where the Jewish leaders were plotting his death. But soon it was time for the Jewish Festival of Shelters, and Jesus' brothers said to him, "Leave here and go to Judea, where your followers can see your miracles! You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world!" For even his brothers didn't believe in him. Jesus replied, "Now is not the right time for me to go, but you can go anytime. The world can't hate you, but it does hate me because I accuse it of doing evil. You go on. I'm not going to this festival, because my time has not yet come." After saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee. John 7:1-9

Meditate. Consider Jewish Festivals and God’s guidance for His Feast Days.

You can't become famous if you hide like this! If you can do such wonderful things, show yourself to the world! His brothers didn’t believe in him. But did His brothers want Him to do great things and become famous? Would His fame have brought them recognition? They didn’t believe in Him…but had they seen Him do miracles other than turning water into wine? By this time, probably the third year of His ministry, they had likely seen or at least heard of the healings and miracles He had done.

Grain Harvest in Israel.

Jewish Festivals were specified by God to the Israelites through Moses.

Each year you must celebrate three festivals in my honor. First, celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread. For seven days the bread you eat must be made without yeast, just as I commanded you. Celebrate this festival annually at the appointed time in early spring, in the month of Abib, for that is the anniversary of your departure from Egypt. No one may appear before me without an offering. Second, celebrate the Festival of Harvest (Pentecost), when you bring me the first crops of your harvest. Finally, celebrate the Festival of the Final Harvest (Feast of Shelters) at the end of the harvest season, when you have harvested all the crops from your fields. At these three times each year, every man in Israel must appear before the Sovereign, the LORD. Exodus 23:14-17

These are the only Feasts for which the men of Israel were to appear before the Lord God at the Temple when it was still in existence. There were other festivals, convocations, or statutes that God indicated that have been called by a “feast” name, including: Passover; Trumpets, also known as Rosh Hashanah; Day of Atonement, called Yom Kippur; and the Feast (convocation) of Sacred Assembly, which occurs after the Feast of Tabernacles or Shelters.

This Jewish Festival of Shelters that Jesus and His brothers were talking about had specific rituals that were to be followed. It was to commemorate their harvest, a time of wandering in the wilderness when they were rescued from slavery, and perhaps it foretold of a time of the Messiah living with, tabernacling with His people.

Remember that this seven-day festival to the LORD—the Festival of Shelters—begins on the fifteenth day of the appointed month, after you have harvested all the produce of the land. The first day and the eighth day of the festival will be days of complete rest. On the first day gather branches from magnificent trees—palm fronds, boughs from leafy trees, and willows that grow by the streams. Then celebrate with joy before the LORD your God for seven days. You must observe this festival to the LORD for seven days every year. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed in the appointed month from generation to generation. For seven days you must live outside in little shelters. All native-born Israelites must live in shelters. This will remind each new generation of Israelites that I made their ancestors live in shelters when I rescued them from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 23:39-43

Jesus wanted to remain in Galilee and not observe this festival. Would you have gone to Jerusalem or stayed in Galilee? There were possibly lots of families in Jerusalem that would want Jesus to come visit them in their home “Sukkot” shelters. It is supposed to be a joyous time!

Are these Feasts or Festivals only for Jews? No. They are part of the Christian heritage and were celebrated by Jesus as noted in the Gospels and then by the disciples in the book of Acts. How each person chooses to commemorate these Festivals is up to them. Have you ever felt like you were wandering in the wilderness like the Israelites on their exodus from Egypt? A longing for the homeland…that you just don’t know where it is…but you want to go there? Celebrate Sukkot!

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, Your brothers didn’t believe in You…at this time—but later, especially James lived to honor You. Personally, I do believe in You. I am so glad You came to “tabernacle” and live here on earth, 100% human. You experienced what we all experience—even not wanting to do something that You knew You had to do, like going to Jerusalem…and eventually to the cross. Thank You for Your obedience.

Verse of Salvation ~ But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "The LORD is great!" Psalm 40:16

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, August 19, 2026

Forgiving?

…and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. Matthew 6:12

Meditate on forgiveness.

Jesus taught His disciples to honor God, focus on His Kingdom and assured them that He would provide their daily needs of food for their bodies and souls. Now what do they need to do? Forgive and be forgiven. Sounds simple—but it is humbling. We have to forgive others to be forgiven. Jesus expounds on this a few verses later.

Are you prickly...unwilling to forgive?
Prickly pear cactus.
Utah

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

It would be serious not to forgive…to refuse to forgive others. It would be like rejecting or refusing God Himself. Listen to the advice of Jesus. Often He would say…he who has ears, listen. Other times we are encouraged to forgive…and it is the forgiveness of others in the family of God—not associated with forgiveness of sin associated with salvation.

Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:37

Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Colossians 3:13

Forgive. Simply forgive. Offer forgiveness. Ask for forgiveness.

What do we learn about Jesus from this Scripture passage?

Prayer – Lord God, forgive my sins. I am trusting You to hear my prayers and answer. Thank You.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds. Titus 2:11-14

Portions reused from July 6, 2020, Banquet With The King blog.

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

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Tuesday, August 18, 2026

Forgive from Your Heart or Pay Up

Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. He couldn't pay, so his master ordered that he be sold--along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt. But the man fell down before his master and begged him, 'Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.' Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt. But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment. His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. 'Be patient with me, and I will pay it,' he pleaded. But his creditor wouldn't wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full. When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, 'You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn't you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?' Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt. "That's what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart." Matthew 18:23-35

Meditate. Consider the point of Jesus’ parable.

Pay up.
Will these coins cover our debt?

Pay up! I could never understand how the guy was supposed to “pay his debt” while he was in prison? Hmmm. How does that work? No work…no pay. So just where does the money come from? Does he get paid to be tortured? Who is paying?

In this parable, the servant had borrowed millions of dollars! What did he do with that money? Could he sell whatever he had and recoup some of the money to give back to the king? Whatever he used the money for, it was obviously not income-generating, or he would have been able to pay the king back, at least a small amount every month. Is this an example of money being an idol? Remember Jesus taught not to worship money.

"No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money." Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:13

Look at your own life and stewardship. How are you spending…or lending…your money? Are you accountable to God for what He has provided you? How about your attitude towards forgiveness? Are you willing to forgive others for their debts, whether it is financial, psychological, or spiritual? Remember the whole point of this parable was forgiveness. Forgive others, and God will forgive you.

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

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You paid such a high price for my debt. Your life…for mine. Thank You.

Verse of Salvation ~ For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

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

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Monday, August 17, 2026

How Many Times Should I Forgive?

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?" "No, not seven times," Jesus replied, "but seventy times seven! Matthew 18:21-22

Meditate. Consider God’s forgiveness and your forgiveness of others.

7 X 7... 70 X 7 = 490

Did you have trouble with memorizing times tables as a fourth grader in school? I was never good at memorizing anything…spelling words, times tables, or scripture! But somehow, I learned those times tables and I can still quickly multiply and divide using those tables mentally. Seventy times seven?! That was not on the list… but you can figure it out. Just add a zero to the seven times seven, so that 49 becomes 490 times. I think Jesus really meant that forgiveness should be offered an infinite number of times. Are you going to keep track of 490 and then stop? I don’t think so. I certainly won’t.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I know that I’ve repented lots of times…and You have forgiven me. Has it been 490 times? Who’s keeping score? Thank You for always forgiving me. Most of all, Thank You for going to the cross for my sins, and to You and Our Father who have welcomed me into Your family. It is wonderful to be part of God’s Family—to feel the presence of God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Verse of Salvation ~ But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God's weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength. 1 Corinthians 1:24-25

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

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