Banquet With The King

Saturday, November 7, 2026

Let the Party Begin!

Dancing in the streets.
Jerusalem, Israel

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. Luke 15:20-24

Meditate on this scripture and celebrating.

He was lost—and he’s come home! What joy filled that father’s heart! That father ran! He had to pull up his long robe and tuck it into the belt at his waist in order to run. Most rich farmers wouldn’t be so undignified as to adjust their expensive robe and run—but this father did. Notice that he was watching and waiting for his son. He probably had spent many days standing at the end of the road just watching, anticipating his son’s return. Look, I see him! He’s here! He’s home! The father was overjoyed! The lost is found!

Give my son some new, clean clothes, the best robe in the house, a gold ring worthy of him, and a good pair of sandals. Kill the fattened calf! Call in all the neighbors, friends, and family. Let the celebrating begin!

In this era, it wasn’t common to have beef every day or even every week. The farmer would fatten up a calf for a special occasion or festival. That was the calf the father told his servants to prepare for a “Welcome Home” feast. They probably had a big spread of other foods, like breads, along with hummus, fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as dried fruits. Food, music, and probably dancing were important parts of the festivity. Can you imagine the joyous celebration?

Have you ever felt like this father receiving his prodigal son home? Maybe a friend or relative came to know the Lord, or returned to a devoted Christian life, after a time of rebellion.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage from the Prodigal Son parable?

Prayer ~ Lord Jesus, I want to be like the father of the Prodigal Son—always watching and willing to welcome back into the fold anyone who strays away. Strays? No, this prodigal son deliberately and rebelliously left the farm. I am willing to accept and embrace those who fall away and then return. In fact, I will rejoice with You and the angels in Heaven when one sinner repents… 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 15:7. Let there be joy in the house of the Lord!

Verse of Salvation ~ For the LORD takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4 NKJV

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

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Friday, November 6, 2026

Came to His Senses

Headed Home to the Promised Land.
I've come to my senses.

When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' Luke 15:17-19

Meditate. Consider the reaction of the Prodigal Son.

The young man came to his senses. He decided to go back to his father…to become the Prodigal Son. He had to get to the point of feeling like he was dying of hunger and knew that his father provided well for his servants—he could become that. A hired servant for his father. He wouldn’t be hungry any longer. No more slopping the hogs. Yes. He would go home and humble himself. He would repent of his sin and ask for forgiveness…and a job.

Isn’t that just what each of us needs to do with our Heavenly Father? Be humble and repent of our sins. Maybe we haven’t asked for our worldly inheritance and then foolishly spent it, but we still have mistakes in our lives that we need to fess up to and want to go “home” which will ultimately be our Heavenly Home with the Lord. Yes. We can identify with this Prodigal Son. We may not feel like we are deserving or worthy of God’s love. But He is willing to accept anyone who accepts Him as Lord. Let’s all turn towards home and seek our Heavenly Father.

What do we learn about Jesus from this portion of the parable of the Prodigal Son?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You were never like the Prodigal Son. You were obedient and devoted to our Father. I am a little like that rebellious Prodigal Son. I want to do things my way…and then I come to my senses and realize that my way is not Your way. Forgive me for being stubborn.

Verse of Salvation ~ (Jesus speaking to those who listened to His parables and didn’t understand.) Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. John 10:9

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

What do you want to eat when you are “dying of hunger?” What is your go-to food? How about a traditional BLT, bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich, a grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup, or macaroni and cheese? My husband might ask for a McDonald’s fishwich sandwich or maybe just a big hotdog with onions at Costco. These are all fast-food items. When you are dying of hunger, you want something fast. I’m sure that the Prodigal Son didn’t have that option. Fast food restaurants began with White Castle in 1921, although even quick meals were served to travelers and workers during the Roman era, so fast food options have been around for ages.

Really hungry? I might settle for a bowl of oatmeal with a banana or a couple of handfuls of blueberries. That is pretty quick, and easy, as well as satisfying and nutritious. Of course, the ultimate comfort food maybe pizza! This is especially true for a Friday. What can be better than pizza and a movie? Maybe just a charcuterie board enjoyed while visiting with friends? Even if you are really hungry it is a satisfying meal. What needs to be included on such a board or tray? It used to be considered an antipasto tray. All the ingredients are cold—so no heating is involved.

Ingredients to consider:

Sliced meats (1/4 lb per person or more)

Variety of cheeses

Mixed Olives

Mixed nuts

Dried fruits

Fresh fruits, like grapes, sliced apples or oranges

Fresh veggies, like cucumbers, celery, peppers, small tomatoes, mushrooms

Baguette or specialty breads, sliced

Tasty crackers

½ cup honey

½ cup mustard

½ cup veggie dip

Fresh herbs like rosemary or basil for fragrance – add at the last minute

Put all the ingredients on a tray in a festive, artistic arrangement—but be sure to separate the moist foods from the dry ones to prevent soggy bread or cracker issues. Enjoy with friends or family for a simple supper. Serve with your favorite hot or cold beverages.

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, November 5, 2026

Pack Up and Move

The Prodigal Son...
his money was wasted...
and he was alone in a famine.

A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. Luke 15:13-16

Meditate.

God often uses famines. Pack up and move before the famine. It didn’t matter where this young man was, there was a famine in the land. The Prodigal Son was on his own since he’d received his inheritance and spent it on wild living. Now there was a famine and his job taking care of dirty pigs was hardly a good job for a young Jewish boy. Pigs were considered unclean and Jews would never eat them. Yet, right now he’d like to eat the food he was feeding to those beasts. Ah, just a corn cob or pea pod. He was so hungry that he was starving. No one shared with him. Famine or not, you’d think someone would offer him a meal…or even scrap of food. Nope! He had no money, no food, no friends. He had greedily spent his inheritance. That was inheritance for which he didn’t want to wait. Give it to me now, he had demanded of his father.

Then he (Jesus) said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.” Luke 12:15

What did greed get this young man? Nothing. He had a short time to enjoy his inheritance, and then it was gone. Now hunger has overtaken his life. He has no money and is working for probably a pittance. What would they pay someone to feed pigs? He has no home, no food, no money. He has left his family and his friends have left him. Alone.

What do we learn about Jesus from this portion of the Prodigal Son parable?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help me to consider options…and not be greedy. You were such a good example—always enjoying a good meal when offered to You—but never greedy.

Verse of Salvation ~ (Part of Jonah’s prayer from inside the great fish.) But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the LORD alone. Jonah 2:9

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, November 4, 2026

Before You Die

Like the butterfly...
the young son thought he'd start a new life.

Meditate. Look at the story of the Prodigal Son more closely.

Did this man have any daughters—only two sons? Was that younger son greedy? He wanted his inheritance…now. No waiting. Daddy loved his sons…so he paid up. Usually, an inheritance wasn’t given to the sons until after the father died, yet this father was willing to give his son just what he wanted. Did he give everything to these two young men? Daughters were not generally given an inheritance as the sons were. What financing was he using to continue to run his farm? Did he give the younger son his inheritance and withhold the older son’s inheritance until that older son asked for it, or until he himself died? If so, Dad would have a financial basis for paying all his servants and running the farm. Lots of questions for Dad or our storyteller, Jesus.

The younger son didn’t waste time getting off that farm and heading for what he thought was greener grass in a country far away. He couldn’t wait to spend his cash. Frivolous living. He probably instantly had friends…until the money ran out. He wasted his money. Wasted. What was he going to do?

What do we learn about Jesus as He begins this story of the Prodigal Son?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, give us wisdom to apply Your parable to our lives. Lord God, I see You as the Father willing to give the son whatever he asked for. Help us not be like that son, squandering Your wealth on vain living. May we honor You in everything we do.

Verse of Salvation…or loss of salvation ~ They were always greedy and never satisfied. Nothing remains of all the things they dreamed about. Job 20:20

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

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

Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Who is The Prodigal Son?

Have you ever fed a pig?

To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began. Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 'Your brother is back,' he was told, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.' The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, 'All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!' His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'" Luke 15:11-32

Meditate. Consider this story of The Prodigal Son.

A few years ago, I read the book The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming by Henri J.M. Nouwen, a priest from the Netherlands, who vividly describes both sons and their relationship to their father in Jesus’ parable known as the Prodigal Son, depicted in the painting by Rembrandt, The Return of the Prodigal Son. Rembrandt painted his rendition of the story in about 1667. Nouwen viewed the painting in Saint Petersburg, Russia in the Hermitage Museum and wrote about his deep connection with the artwork in 1992. In his book, Nouwen clearly conveys the feelings of the father, the wayward son who has returned home willing to be a slave, and the older, loyal yet jealous son who has remained with his father on the family farm. In the Prodigal Son story as told by Jesus it is often interpreted that the father is God the Father, welcoming home his son whom He thought was lost, who is throwing a big celebration to rejoice at His son’s return. He draws the older son into the story—reaching out to encourage him to take part in the celebration. That’s how it is with God—He reaches out to all His sons and daughters. He tells us, you are mine—let’s rejoice and celebrate. It is such an awesome story when you dig into the meaning behind just the basic storyline and visualize the father embracing His sons. Can you interpret it as both were lost and now are found? With which of the characters in the story do you identify? The younger son, the older son, or perhaps the father? As you look at the growth in your spiritual life, can you see yourself in each of these characters? At any rate, let’s celebrate. We were lost, and now we are found!

What do we learn about Jesus from this parable?

Prayer – Holy Spirit—we rejoice that we have returned to our Heavenly Father…and to You. Please continue to guide and direct us in that whatever we think, say, and do would be acceptable to You. Direct us moment by moment to make choices that keep us on the straight and narrow path that would continually lead us to You.

Verse of Salvation ~ So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when He adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. Romans 8:15-17

Portions are reused from June 19, 2015, 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, November 2, 2026

Can You Rejoice? The Lost Has Been Found!

Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won't she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, 'Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.' In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents." Luke 15:8-10

Meditate. Consider Rejoicing.

Imagine with me a story about The Lost Coin.

Knock – Knock – Knock

Rhoda, would you like to come over for some mint tea? Grandma Anna is brewing a fresh pot.

“No. No. I can’t come over now. I lost one of my silver coins,” cried Rhoda, nearly in tears.

“I must find it so I can pay my family’s Temple tax. I know I had ten coins and now I only have nine other coins,” thought Rhoda.

I’ll count them again.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Oh, where is that tenth coin?

I’ll count them again. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

The tenth coin is lost.

Light your lamp!

Sweep your house!

It is not around the bed.

It is not under the bed.

Sweep under the low table.

No coin under here.

It did not fall…into my water pot.

Shine your lamp here.

Not with the pomegranates.

Sweep around these cushions.

There it is! We found my lost coin!

Thank you for helping me!

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 10! I have all ten coins!

Celebrate with me!

Rejoice!

I must tell all my family, neighbors, and friends!

The Lost Coin has been FOUND!

Have you ever felt sad, discouraged, or overwhelmed over losing something precious to you? This coin was for a necessary Temple tax for Rhoda’s family. Sure, she had nine other coins, but this one was a special Temple Tax coin. Maybe she would have to spend more than she had budgeted for if she had to replace it? Maybe she was living in fear of what her husband or father would say if she didn’t find that coin? No one wants to be called “irresponsible,” “careless,” or “negligent,” which is what they might accuse her of if she didn’t find that coin. Do you think she might have prayed, “O Lord God, please help me find my lost coin”? What a kind neighbor to help her, suggesting what to do and where to look. Rhoda was really happy—joyful over finding her lost coin. She wanted to celebrate! Would you join her along with her family, neighbors, and friends in commemorating the event?

Look at this story again. If the “lost” thing were a person instead of a coin, how would you feel? What do you think Jesus would do in this situation? What do we learn about Jesus from this parable?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I want to see people as You do—the lost and the found. Show me where I can best serve You and rejoice over finding the lost.

Verse of Salvation ~ In that day the people will proclaim, "This is our God! We trusted in him, and he saved us! This is the LORD, in whom we trusted. Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!" Isaiah 25:9

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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Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Rejoice with Me

Meditate on something lost and something found.

Lost and Found! I lost a key. Pray.
Do you know someone who is lost?

Just like the woman in Jesus’ parables about lost and found things who lost a coin, I recently lost something… it was just a key, but a very special one. One of my granddaughters lost her glasses. Hmmm. Keep them on your face, sweetie—even if you are hot and sweaty! You don’t know how important something is until you have lost it! Now what? Pray. Jesus promised that whatever we ask for in His name, we would receive. The things that are important aren’t material things, but people.

Those whose souls are lost are like the lost coin…or the lost sheep. They can be found, but someone has to care about them…and to care enough to search for them. They need to see Jesus—who can be seen in the actions of Christians living for Jesus, as we are directed to do. Love everyone.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world's corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God's promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. 2 Peter 1:3-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Love God. Love others. Those are the greatest commands. How does one show the greatest love to lost people? They can be “found” by learning about Jesus, His sacrifice for the sins of mankind, and His resurrection. He is God--He will provide. Hopefully, they will repent of their sin. Then let us rejoice!

What do you learn about Jesus associated with this Scripture passage today?

Prayer – Lord God, I once was lost, but now am found. Help me to find things I’ve lost—they are distracting me from the real job at hand…telling others the Good News about Jesus, my Lord and Savior. Save the lost sheep…the lost souls.

Verse of Salvation ~ But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this? 2 Corinthians 2:14-16

Parts reused from June 11, 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.