Banquet With The King

Saturday, October 31, 2026

Are You Like a Lost Sheep?

Sheep in Israel.
The shepherd is out looking for the lost one.

So Jesus told them this story: "If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.' In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven't strayed away! Luke 15:3-7

Meditate on sheep and The Shepherd.

Read Psalm 119, where you will find a comforting plea that David made to the Lord.

I have wandered away like a lost sheep; come and find me, for I have not forgotten your commands. Psalm 119:176

Find me! Do you sometimes feel like a lost sheep, too? More is written by the prophet Ezekiel about lost sheep, the Israelites, God’s chosen people. God will care for His sheep. As believers, we are now part of His flock, too.

As surely as I live, says the Sovereign LORD, you abandoned my flock and left them to be attacked by every wild animal. And though you were my shepherds, you didn't search for my sheep when they were lost. You took care of yourselves and left the sheep to starve. Therefore, you shepherds, hear the word of the LORD. ... For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign LORD. Ezekiel 34:8-9, 11-15

The Israelites are compared with sheep in the prophesies from God through Jeremiah.

My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and can't remember how to get back to the sheepfold. ... The Israelites are like sheep that have been scattered by lions. First the king of Assyria ate them up. Then King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon cracked their bones. Jeremiah 50:6, 17

God is pictured as the great shepherd in the well-known Psalm 23.

The LORD is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23:1-6 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Consider this parable that Jesus told in today’s focus scripture about a lost sheep and the importance of that one sheep to the shepherd. He looks until He finds it. God sees each of us as that one sheep…at some point in our lives. He doesn’t want anyone to perish. This story is repeated in Matthew.

If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:12-14

Are you ever like that lost sheep? Do you need God to find you? Call out to Him. If you seek Him, you will find Him. David wisely wrote to his son, Solomon, about seeking God. I take this to heart because it is such good advice.

And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the LORD sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. 1 Chronicles 28:9

What do we learn about Jesus in this Scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord, I am seeking You, while I can find You. I’m calling on You now while You are near. From Isaiah 55:6. You are my shepherd…I am following You. Lead me in Your way…everlasting. Thank You. I praise You.

Verses of Salvation ~ The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. The LORD gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king. Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever. Psalm 28:7-9

Portions of this are reused from June 27, 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.

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Friday, October 30, 2026

Moan and Groan?

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! Luke 15:1-2

Meditate on with whom you eat…and if you feel like complaining.

Moan and groan. Do those Pharisees ever say anything nice about anyone? We always read about them complaining about Jesus and His disciples. Jesus eating with sinners, healing on the Sabbath, and the disciples working by picking wheat heads to eat on the Sabbath. Were the Pharisees sinless? Hardly. Everyone sins…just as was written the prophet Jeremiah. (Underlined for emphasis.)

LORD, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. Jeremiah 14:20

Even before that, at the time of Samual, the Israelites recognized that they sinned against God.

Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, "If you want to return to the LORD with all your hearts, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Turn your hearts to the LORD and obey him alone; then he will rescue you from the Philistines." So the Israelites got rid of their images of Baal and Ashtoreth and worshiped only the LORD. Then Samuel told them, "Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the LORD for you." So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the LORD. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the LORD. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel's judge.) 1 Samuel 7:3-6

Only the Old Testament was written at the time of Jesus and the Pharisees knew God’s word, including these passages. We all have sinned against you. (Speaking to the Lord.) Later, Paul wrote something very similar to the church at Rome, that is included in the New Testament.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. Romans 3:22-24

Knowing that everyone…that means all people…have sinned against God. They knew it in Samuel’s time…and throughout Jewish history. Those tax collectors and sinners listening to Jesus teach learned that they could be forgiven, and now we know today that we are sinners, too, and can be forgiven. But do we admit it? That is the first step in recognizing Jesus as Lord. I am a sinner…all people sin. God allowed the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus, to completely and forever remove our sin…as we confess it before Him. God is faithful to forgive us. Have you ever asked Him to forgive you?

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord God, I know that You have forgiven me for the sins I have committed…yesterday, today, and even tomorrow. Thank you that You have cleansed my heart and made it white as snow—pure. I praise You.

Verse of Salvation ~ For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26

No swine on my plate tonight!
"Pig" created by Liberty.
Too cute to eat!

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What did Jesus eat as He ate with those tax collectors and sinners? Likely beef, since at banquets we hear that command to “kill the fatted calf” so there would be meat at the celebration. It could have been sheep or goat. It may be more noteworthy to ask what did Jesus not eat?! Jesus and other Jews did not eat pork. They were commanded by God not to eat swine.

Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. "Of all the land animals, these are the ones you may use for food. ... The pig has evenly split hooves but does not chew the cud, so it is unclean. You may not eat the meat of these animals or even touch their carcasses. They are ceremonially unclean for you.” Leviticus 11:1-2, 7-8

Additionally, God was protecting His people when He commanded them not to eat of the fat of those animals. The fat was for the Lord, but also, the fat contained toxins which would be harmful to people.

The priest must present part of this offering as a special gift to the LORD. This includes all the fat around the internal organs, ... and the priest will burn them on the altar. It is a special gift of food, a pleasing aroma to the LORD. All the fat belongs to the LORD. "You must never eat any fat or blood. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation, wherever you live." Leviticus 3:14, 16-17

So—what’s on your plate today? Not fat!

Comments? Please write them below.

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, October 29, 2026

Be Salty—Provide Some Flavor to Relationships

Are you as salty as the ocean?
Pacific Ocean on the Oregon Coast.

"Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? Flavorless salt is good neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown away. Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!" Luke 14:34-35

Meditate on saltiness.

Flavor. Without flavor, food just doesn’t have any appeal. The smells of food cooking—sometimes even just fresh and raw—are enticing and stimulating to our taste buds. Does your mouth water just to think about, smell, or see some appealing foods?

Jesus told his followers in His Sermon on the Mount, recorded in Matthew 5-7, Mark 9, and Luke 14, that they are the salt of the earth. In the Luke passage, it likens the flavorful salt to be even worthless for the trash. Both the focus scripture and this Matthew passage ask the same question. Can you make salt that has lost its flavor salty again?

You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. Matthew 5:13

If a person spiritually loses their “flavor,” taste, or interest, how can they regain their spiritual flavor? Have they turned their back on Christianity and rejected Jesus? Jesus is teaching that people need to listen—use their ears—and understand that it is nearly impossible to get salty again—so don’t get into that position. Be flavorful to the world. Are you providing some zest, tang, piquancy to the world?

What do you learn about Jesus from this scripture today that you can apply to your relationship with Him?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to give to those around me—the world—an enthusiasm that engages their spiritual appetite to want to know more about 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

Portions of this devotional are reused from November 28, 2025, 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.

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

What Are You Willing To Give Up?

Or what king would go to war against another king without first sitting down with his counselors to discuss whether his army of 10,000 could defeat the 20,000 soldiers marching against him? And if he can't, he will send a delegation to discuss terms of peace while the enemy is still far away. So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own. Luke 14:31-33

Don't be a pig. Let go of your stuff.
Put Jesus first in your life.
Follow Him.

Meditate. What have you got to lose?

Jesus told His disciples and other followers that they had to give up everything to follow Him. Everything. Peter, James, John and Andrew gave up their fishing…fish, nets, boats, life at the Sea of Galilee…to follow Jesus when He called to them…“Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. Note that James and John even left their father, Zebedee, to follow Jesus. Do you think that they counted the cost like those kings about to go to battle? Did they stop to figure out how much income they would lose? I don’t think so. The Rabbi was calling them to come…whereas usually the disciple asks the Rabbi if he can follow. Big switch. They gave up everything…can we do the same? What do I need to “give up” to follow Jesus? What do you need to give up to follow Jesus?

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

Prayer – Jesus, I hear You calling, “Follow Me….” Are you asking me to do what You asked the religious leader who came to You asking what he must do to inherit eternal life? You answered… "There is still one thing you haven't done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:22. You are my treasure in heaven. Whatever it takes…I will follow You.

Verse of Salvation ~ Finally, dear brothers and sisters, we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You live this way already, and we encourage you to do so even more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

Portions of today’s devotion recycled from August 10, 2017, 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.

Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Cost of Discipleship

Unusual building in Tel Aviv, Israel.
Did the builder change his mind...
or just not count the cost?

"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise, you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, 'There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!' Luke 14:28-30

Meditate. Consider planning and figuring out the cost of a project and what you want to accomplish.

What will discipleship cost you? Time, money, effort?

What is the first step in building a building, a bridge, or a relationship? For a bridge or building, you must plan and evaluate the need for a bridge. Is there a need for a relationship—or building a better relationship? Of course—we all need others in our lives—connections with other people. Even people who are introverts, need other people. It is a basic human instinct—although there are some true hermits and loners in this world. Even more important…we all need to have a god in our lives. Even atheists have things they worship. Our Christian God is one that wants to be worshipped exclusively. I believe in Him as the creator and savior of the world and I seek to worship Him exclusively, just as He commanded.

In building a relationship, choose the right person…or God…with whom to build a connection. Since we are born into a family, we can’t choose our family, but we can choose our friends and the god—our God whom we worship—to get closer to. That first step—choosing—is important. Decide with whom you want a deeper relationship. You don’t want to worship the wrong God and you don’t want to be in relationships with the wrong people—druggies, selfish whiners, or those who are abusive, either mentally or physically. Choose your friends wisely and teach your children to do that, too.

What do you learn about Jesus from this scripture passage?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I want to build my relationship with You…and with others around me to ultimately bring glory to You.

Verse of Salvation ~ But I keep praying to you, LORD, hoping this time you will show me favor. In your unfailing love, O God, answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Psalm 69:13

Portions reused from January 3, 2023, 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.

Monday, October 26, 2026

Do You Want to Be Jesus’ Disciple?

Which Cross Would You Carry?

A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, "If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple."
Luke 14:25-27

Meditate on discipleship and carrying your own cross.

This is Jesus’ expectation: Carry your own cross. He had said the same thing just a while earlier in His ministry as recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

· Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

· Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me." Mark 8:34

· Then he said to the crowd, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23

Key to each of these passages is that we must give up our own way. No selfish attitude is encouraged; only giving up what we want to do things Jesus’ way. Note that Mark and Luke are nearly identical, but Luke notes that this action of taking up one’s cross is a daily requirement. What does it mean to take up your cross? Jesus says just what He means… we must give up our own way, even our own life. Do we do that? Do you want to be His disciple? What does discipleship mean to you…and what does that look like in your life now? When was the last time you took up your cross for Jesus? What did you give up to serve Him?

What do we learn from this Scripture today about Jesus that can help us grow in our relationship with Him?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, forgive me when I get caught up in my own activities or, like today, when I had an attitude that put “me” first rather than You. Holy Spirit, please help me see opportunities where I can pick up my cross and follow Jesus, serving Him with the spiritual gifts You have given me.

Verse of Salvation ~ The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

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, October 25, 2026

Did You Get an Invitation? Are You Going?

The Morning Glory flowers in Israel declare...
It is time to respond to the invitation.
Come to the Banquet of the Kingdom of God!

Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, "What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God!" Jesus replied with this story: "A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When the banquet was ready, he sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come, the banquet is ready.' But they all began making excuses. One said, 'I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, 'Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.' After the servant had done this, he reported, 'There is still room for more.' So his master said, 'Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I first invited will get even the smallest taste of my banquet.'" Luke 14:15-24

Meditate on giving excuses.

Sorry—I can’t make it. Please excuse me. How many times have you invited someone to come to your home, but when it was time for the meal, they had an excuse not to come? Did you go out and invite someone else? That is just what the man in Jesus’ story did. Twice. He sent his servants out to get those who wouldn’t normally be invited: the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame, and then later, anyone the servants could find to invite. He wanted his house full.

I think that Jesus was describing how it will be for God and His future banquet. He has given the invitation. He wants His Heavenly Home full. Now is the time to respond—time to RSVP. In case you don’t know…RSVP stands for the French words, répondez s'il vous plaît; please reply. Did you get an invitation? How will you respond? Will you have some worldly excuse…like those who bought land, or a new car, just got married, or how about a planned vacation? Would you do what you want instead of going to a special banquet? The choice is yours.

What new insight into Jesus’ character do you gain from this Scripture?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I want to be at our Father’s banquet. I’m willing to give up anything, wanting my attention here and now, for the opportunity to sit at His festive feast. What a blessing it will be to attend a banquet in the Kingdom of God! It is an honor to receive an invitation. Yes! I’ll be there! (Underlined for emphasis from today’s Scripture.)

Verse of Salvation ~ (Jesus’ message to Israel.) 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

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

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