Banquet With The King

Wednesday, April 8, 2026

Hold Out Your Hand

Time...for healing, for good deeds?
Time for a miracle.

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus' enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man's hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone." Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn't answer him. He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored! At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus. Mark 3:1-6

Meditate.

This scripture passage describing this Sabbath healing by Jesus is also found in Matthew 12:9-14 and Luke 6:6-11. Read all of them for a deeper understanding of this miracle. It may not have been on the same Sabbath day as when Jesus and His disciples harvested a few heads of wheat and ate them.

Jesus mercifully noticed and healed the deformed hand of a man, who was in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Again, it was the Sabbath, and the Pharisees were trying to enforce the “no work on the Sabbath” law. Jesus just simply asked them if the law permitted good deeds on the Sabbath, but the Pharisees refused to answer. They didn’t want Jesus to be successful, but they knew that He had miraculously healed other people. Basically, they were jealous of His abilities. They weren’t healing people who were lame, had deformed hands, or even just a fever. Jesus told this man to hold out your hand. It was healed. Made perfect just as Jesus created it. Jesus rejected the Pharisees in anger and disappointment because they rejected His desire to perform miracles, and to do God’s will. Jesus’ attitude is similar to the words of James. Do you think the Pharisees would accept that?

If you are wise and understand God's ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don't cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God's kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. James 3:13-17

James speaks of mercy and good deeds. Those were qualities that Jesus was portraying with this gentleman who needed his hand healed. Would you want the Pharisees to be responsible for healing you? What was wrong with them that they couldn’t want the best—the healing of this man’s hand? They were already wanting to destroy Jesus and His ministry.

What do we learn about Jesus in this passage of scripture? He continues to be merciful. He is not only not intimidated by the Pharisees, but He is angry and feels sorry for them as they reject the idea of healing on the Sabbath.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for the mercy You showed to this man and to all of us. Thanks also for just showing us Your strength

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. Titus 2:11-13

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

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Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Are You Hungry?

Are you hungry for fresh grain?

At about that time Jesus was walking through some grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, so they began breaking off some heads of grain and eating them. But some Pharisees saw them do it and protested, "Look, your disciples are breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath." Jesus said to them, "Haven't you read in the Scriptures what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He went into the house of God, and he and his companions broke the law by eating the sacred loaves of bread that only the priests are allowed to eat. And haven't you read in the law of Moses that the priests on duty in the Temple may work on the Sabbath? I tell you, there is one here who is even greater than the Temple! But you would not have condemned my innocent disciples if you knew the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!" Matthew 12:1-8 (Underlined emphasis mine.)

Meditate on hunger—spiritual and physical. Read the passage three times.

Continuing on in the study of Jesus chronologically in the Gospels. This scripture from Matthew 12:1-8 is also found in Mark 2:23-28 and Luke 6:1-5.

Jesus has healed sick and lame people. Now, it is still the Sabbath as He and a few of His hungry disciples are walking through a ripe grainfield. The logical thing is to pluck a few kernels of wheat, rub off the chaff, and eat the grain. I would. Those fresh morsels can be tasty. Chew them up well, and they are actually nutritious. Those Pharisees called that little harvesting the disciples did, work! Work on the Sabbath was forbidden. It was considered breaking the Law. Did the Pharisees acknowledge that David and his troops broke the law when they ate the consecrated bread?

Since there was no other food available, the priest gave him (David) the holy bread—the Bread of the Presence that was placed before the LORD in the Tabernacle. It had just been replaced that day with fresh bread. 1 Samuel 21:6

David and his hungry men ate the sacred bread from the altar. Jesus and His disciples ate grain on a sacred day. There’s no record of the Pharisees’ response to Jesus’ defense. What do you think they said to Jesus? They didn’t recognize that He was the Son of Man, the Lord. If they’d only known. At this point, Jesus quoted an Old Testament passage with which the Pharisees were likely familiar.

O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?" asks the LORD. "For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings. But like Adam, you broke my covenant and betrayed my trust. Hosea 6:4-7 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Show love or mercy. That is just what Jesus was teaching people to do. To love God and to love others. Love is merciful. He goes on to heal on the Sabbath. Keep reading. Can’t you just feel the anger rising in the Pharisees? Were they even listening to Him when He said, "For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!"?

Jesus’ disciples were physically hungry as they walked through that field. Were the Pharisees actually spiritually hungry and just not aware? Are you ever spiritually hungry, but just ignore it? The best cure for spiritual hunger is digging into God’s word. Where do you start? How about any one of the Gospels? Matthew was written by a Jew for the Jews, whereas Mark and Luke were written mainly for the Gentiles. John is more distinctively theological. Your choice. It is best to pray for insight and understanding before you read the scripture passage, and then dig in and see what God is trying to teach you. Your spiritual hunger will be satisfied.

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture today? Jesus was merciful to His companions. He didn’t stop them from harvesting and eating the grain. He likely joined them. The Pharisees were in His face with “keeping the law,” but He defended the need to satisfy physical hunger. Jesus was declaring Himself “Lord of the Sabbath,” but the Pharisees didn’t listen. Were the disciples listening—or just hungry?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for satisfying my physical hunger with the bounty of food that You provide. I am continually amazed at the variety of foods that You’ve created. It’s time to start gardening—so I am also grateful for the seeds to grow these great plants that we will harvest later. Spiritual hunger is easily—but often humbly—satiated by Your living word. It’s new every morning and You speak clearly throughout the Bible with a freshness that is exciting. Thank you for providing Your guidance, wisdom, and understanding.

Verse of Salvation ~ He was saying to them, "The harvest is abundant [for there are many who need to hear the good news about salvation], but the workers [those available to proclaim the message of salvation] are few. Therefore, [prayerfully] ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Luke 10:2 AMP

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

Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified® Bible (AMP),

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Monday, April 6, 2026

Searching for God’s Will?

Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen, and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from people. But I know that you do not have the love of God within you. I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. John 5:25-45 ESV

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

Jewish tradition, based on scripture (Deut. 19:15), requires that two witnesses testify before the conviction of an accused person. Here in the passage for today, Jesus was saying that He alone couldn’t testify about Himself—two others had to testify about Him. He goes on to tell about two who are His witnesses, John the Baptist and His Heavenly Father. In addition, His own works were His testimony.

Jesus was a man of integrity. He didn’t boast about what He could do or about what He had already done (healing sick and lame people), but insisted that He couldn’t do anything on His own. He was seeking God’s will.

So what is God’s will? In John 4:34, Jesus explained:

My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work. John 4:34

Additionally, in the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus prayed…Thy kingdom come, thy will be done. I know several people who have really struggled with “knowing God’s will for their lives.” I remember spending a considerable amount of time searching the scriptures myself wanting to understand what it was that God wanted me to do. What was God’s will for my life? I think God’s direction in Paul’s letter to the Romans provides us with a good answer.

Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:1-2 (NASB) Underlined for emphasis.

That is stated pretty plainly—that which is good, acceptable and perfect. That takes me back to one of my favorite verses:

Search for the Truth in your life.
Seek God and you will find Him.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NASB)

Think about good things—and you’ll do what is right and is God’s will. This scripture may not give specifics…like what to do for a specific career or spouse, but general guidance on the way to live to please God. Feast on those words today.

What do we learn about Jesus from today’s passage? Jesus lived to please the Father, to do just what the Father wanted Him to do. He was pointing people to God the Father as the source of our hope, not to Moses on whom the Jews wanted to focus their loyalty. That is good advice for us today, too. Seek God and you will find Him.

Prayer – Dear Jesus—I believe you are who you said you are…the Son of God—and you are God. Your testimony is true. Help me to continue to seek God’s will and to focus on the good, acceptable, and perfect—the God things.

Verse of Salvation ~ And just as each person is destined to die once and after that comes judgment, so also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

Portions reused from October 10, 2012, 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®,

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

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Sunday, April 5, 2026

The Tomb is Empty

Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.” John 11:25

Meditate on resurrection.

The Empty Tomb

He is Risen! He is Risen, Indeed!

The Tomb is Empty. Up from the grave He arose…. Jesus was resurrected. The Firstborn of the resurrection.

In this Scripture today, Jesus was talking to Martha, Lazarus’ sister, just before He raised Lazarus from the dead. He declared then that He was the Resurrection. The Resurrection, the raising from the dead, occurred first with Jesus. Jesus raised several people from the dead, including Lazarus, a little girl, and a young man in a funeral procession—but I assume those people all died again. Jesus did not die again. He not only was resurrected from death, He ascended to heaven right in front of His disciples and followers. Jesus was just the first to be resurrected into Heaven.

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. Romans 8:29

Live—even after you die. What a great promise. Of course, part of that promise has a key word…believe. It isn’t difficult to believe in Jesus…but some people just can’t do it. What are their excuses? I’m not worthy…I’m too much of a sinner…I just don’t think He really came back to life—someone stole His body out of the tomb. Jesus gave up a lot…His very life…just for us. Considering what He did so that mankind could have a chance to live is humbling. Personally, I’m so unworthy. I just feel privileged to know that Jesus died for me—for my sins. Accepting His sacrifice makes me part of God’s family. That is awesome. What do you think? The tomb of Jesus is empty. Come and see. Come and believe that He can give you eternal life—forever in Heaven with Him.

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are the Resurrection…You are the Life. I believe in You.

Verses of Salvation ~ I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 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 1:9-11 NLT

Portions reused from April 13, 2020, 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.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Saturday, April 4, 2026

Don’t Leave Me in the Dark

Hello darkness. Are you my friend?

O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you by day. I come to you at night. Now hear my prayer; listen to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death draws near. I am as good as dead, like a strong man with no strength left. They have left me among the dead, and I lie like a corpse in a grave. I am forgotten, cut off from your care. You have thrown me into the lowest pit, into the darkest depths. Your anger weighs me down; with wave after wave, you have engulfed me. You have driven my friends away by making me repulsive to them. I am in a trap with no way of escape. My eyes are blinded by my tears. Each day I beg for your help, O LORD; I lift my hands to you for mercy. Are your wonderful deeds of any use to the dead? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can the darkness speak of your wonderful deeds? Can anyone in the land of forgetfulness talk about your righteousness? O LORD, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day. O LORD, why do you reject me? Why do you turn your face from me? I have been sick and close to death since my youth. I stand helpless and desperate before your terrors. Your fierce anger has overwhelmed me. Your terrors have paralyzed me. They swirl around me like floodwaters all day long. They have engulfed me completely. You have taken away my companions and loved ones. Darkness is my closest friend. Psalm 88:1-18

Meditate. Read the scripture passage again. How do you feel about darkness?

Hello darkness, my old friend/I’ve come to talk with you again…. Lyrics from the Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfield’s popular 1964 song. Darkness.

The Psalmist is feeling pretty low—near death. Discouraged. Dejected. Dark. Have you ever felt that low? He cries out to the Lord for help and asks if those in the grave, the dead, or those in hell, in the darkness, praise the Lord? There is no answer here from the Psalmist nor from God, but when life ends in our mortal bodies, there is no further communication. No choices to be made. The Psalmist is in the dark. We would be in the same darkness, except that we have the promise from Light of the World to guide, protect, and save us.

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life." John 8:12

No walking in darkness for those who believe in Jesus as their Savior. To claim Jesus as your Savior, you merely need to acknowledge that, like everyone, you are a sinner, but you can repent, believe, and walk in the light. Darkness no longer has to be your friend—now, your friend, the light of the world will lead you—and me. The choice is yours. Choose darkness or light.

Prayer – Lord, I don’t want to make You mad…to make You angry with me. May my actions be pleasing to You. Open my eyes to see and understand You—don’t leave me in the dark.

Verse of Salvation ~ [Does salvation (justice) elude you?] So there is no justice among us, and we know nothing about right living. We look for light but find only darkness. We look for bright skies but walk in gloom. We grope like the blind along a wall, feeling our way like people without eyes. Even at brightest noontime, we stumble as though it were dark. Among the living, we are like the dead. We growl like hungry bears; we moan like mournful doves. We look for justice, but it never comes. We look for rescue, but it is far away from us. For our sins are piled up before God and testify against us. Yes, we know what sinners we are. We know we have rebelled and have denied the LORD. We have turned our backs on our God. We know how unfair and oppressive we have been, carefully planning our deceitful lies. Isaiah 59:9-13

Recycled from November 3, 2022, 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.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Friday, April 3, 2026

What is Good about Good Friday?

Sculpture of Jesus' journey to the Cross
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
Jerusalem, Israel

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. ... Everyone who sees me mocks me. They sneer and shake their heads, saying, "Is this the one who relies on the LORD? Then let the LORD save him! If the LORD loves him so much, let the LORD rescue him!" ... Do not stay so far from me, for trouble is near, and no one else can help me. ... My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me. My strength has dried up like sunbaked clay. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth. You have laid me in the dust and left me for dead. My enemies surround me like a pack of dogs; an evil gang closes in on me. They have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. My enemies stare at me and gloat. They divide my garments among themselves and throw dice for my clothing. O LORD, do not stay far away! You are my strength; come quickly to my aid! ... Praise the LORD, all you who fear him! Honor him, all you descendants of Jacob! Show him reverence, all you descendants of Israel! For he has not ignored or belittled the suffering of the needy. He has not turned his back on them, but has listened to their cries for help. I will praise you in the great assembly. I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you. ... The whole earth will acknowledge the LORD and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the LORD. He rules all the nations. ... His righteous acts will be told to those not yet born. They will hear about everything he has done. Psalm 22:1-3, 7-8, 11, 14-19, 23-25, 27-28, 31

Meditate on the purity of God.

Jesus called out to our Heavenly Father while He was on the cross, as recorded in the New Testament book of Matthew.

At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" Matthew 27:46

Why? Why would God Almighty abandon or forsake His own Son? The best answer I’ve heard is that God didn’t give up on Jesus; He just turned His back on the sin. The horrific sin of man. God is pure—and it requires purity to be in His presence. We have the promise of Jesus, in Deuteronomy and repeated in Hebrews, that He will never leave us or forsake us. He won’t abandon us. What an assurance.

Consider how Jesus suffered even before He was nailed to the cross. He was beaten, spit upon, and humiliated. That continued on the cross. Read the description in Psalm 22 and compare it with scripture describing His crucifixion in Matthew 27:27-44; Mark 15:21-32; Luke 23:26-49; and John 19:17-37. Prophecy fulfilled. Different translations finish off Psalm 22 with various phrases, but look at what is written there…that everyone will hear about what He has done. And in His dying words, Jesus said,

“It is finished.” (John 19:30)

He completed what He came to earth to accomplish.

At that very time, Jesus cured many people of their diseases, illnesses, and evil spirits, and he restored sight to many who were blind. 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, the lepers are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, and the Good News is being preached to the poor. And tell him, 'God blesses those who do not turn away because of me.'" Luke 7:21-23

Jesus came to take away the sins of the world—and give everlasting life to those who believe in Him. He fulfilled that on the cross. Is that what makes Good Friday, Good? Have you heard what He has done? Do you believe?

Prayer – Lord - Lord Jesus, You are amazing, awesome, and humbly obedient. Thank You. I bow before You now and always, for You are my God…my Messiah. Savior of the world. King of kings. Lord of Lords. You are my hope.

Verse of Salvation ~ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar, "Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

This day commemorates the day that Christ was crucified. Jesus did not eat on that day. I will probably eat very lightly today. No feasting at the King’s Table…or any other table today. Reverently minimize your food intake, or fast today, in honor of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Portions reused from March 5, 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.

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories