Banquet With The King

Monday, March 30, 2026

Questions – Who, Where, When?

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, "You can't work on the Sabbath! The law doesn't allow you to carry that sleeping mat!" But he replied, "The man who healed me told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.'" "Who said such a thing as that?" they demanded. The man didn't know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, "Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you." Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. John 5:9-15

Meditate. Consider how you would feel if you were healed like this man.

Where is the Sheep's Gate?
It is also known as the Lion's Gate.
In the northeast part of the wall in the Old City.
Symbolic of:
Sacrifice - Jesus' selfless love
Salvation - Through Jesus, we gain eternal life
Healing - hope in brokenness
Restoration -
Nehemiah rebuilt the wall - God rebuilds our hearts

This is the only account of this miracle in the Gospels. Jesus compassionately and generously healed this man. He didn’t touch him. He just spoke the words.

Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!" John 5:8

That is just what he did, but the problem was that it was the Sabbath, and no one is to carry any burden on the Sabbath. The mat was considered a burden by the Pharisees, who confronted the cured fellow. Then, when this man encountered Jesus later and learned who He was, he told the Jewish leaders. Woops! Now, those leaders were out to get Jesus. They didn’t believe in Him, respect Him, or trust Him. It seems to me that they just jealously wanted to get rid of Him. Jesus was doing miracles that they couldn’t do.

Did the healed man stop sinning, or something even worse might happen to him? The account of this story doesn’t go on to tell us such details. We just know that he went to the Jewish leaders. He turned on the very person who had just healed him of thirty-eight years of a debilitating disease. How could he do that? He should have been grateful to Jesus. Would you have been? Would you have run to the Jewish leaders to tattle on Jesus? Did everyone have questions? Who healed this sick man? Where did it happen? When—what day of the week—did this miracle occur?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You are awesome. You healed this lame man, even knowing that he would run to the Jewish leaders and rat you out. Such compassion and generosity. Thank You for Your healing touch to him and for sharing this story so that we can know You more deeply. Please continue to heal those who turn to You for Your merciful touch, and help us to understand when You don’t choose to heal our loved ones. We love You anyway.

Verse of Salvation ~ When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:4-5

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

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

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, March 29, 2026

The King is Coming! Palm Sunday

Rejoice, O people of Zion! Shout in triumph, O people of Jerusalem! Look, your king is coming to you. He is righteous and victorious, yet he is humble, riding on a donkey—riding on a donkey's colt. Zechariah 9:9

Meditate. Consider prophesies fulfilled.

Have you read the prophecy in Zechariah? Beyond this verse above, it talks about peace to the nations and the dominion of the Lord being from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. To the ends of the earth—totally around the world.

Golden Gates
...facing the east towards the Mount of Olives.
Read Ezekiel 4:1-5. A future event happens there.
Jerusalem, Israel

This event—Jesus’ Triumphal Entry—is recorded in Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-40, and John 12:12-19. This is the fulfillment of the prophecy given in Zechariah 9:9. The Jews were looking for a great, new political leader as their coming Messiah. The Jews are still looking for their Messiah—and they just don’t understand that Jesus was the Messiah. He is the Messiah. He wasn’t a political savior, but a spiritual savior. He came as the Savior of the world…not just for the Jews.

The next day, the news that Jesus was on the way to Jerusalem swept through the city. A large crowd of Passover visitors took palm branches and went down the road to meet him. They shouted, "Praise God! Blessings on the one who comes in the name of the LORD! Hail to the King of Israel!" Jesus found a young donkey and rode on it, fulfilling the prophecy that said: "Don't be afraid, people of Jerusalem. Look, your King is coming, riding on a donkey's colt." His disciples didn't understand at the time that this was a fulfillment of prophecy. But after Jesus entered into his glory, they remembered what had happened and realized that these things had been written about him. Many in the crowd had seen Jesus call Lazarus from the tomb, raising him from the dead, and they were telling others about it. That was the reason so many went out to meet him—because they had heard about this miraculous sign. Then the Pharisees said to each other, "There's nothing we can do. Look, everyone has gone after him!" John 12:12-19

He entered through the east gates as the people shouted, Praise God, Hosanna! That is literally “save us” now! Are people still looking for a Messiah…a Savior? Are you looking for a spiritual or political savior for yourself…or the world? What do you think? Leave a comment below and let everyone know what you think.

Personally, I have already found Jesus as my spiritual savior. He has taken away not only the sins of the world, but my own personal sins. What a great burden was lifted off my shoulders the day I accepted Christ as my Savior. I wasn’t even aware that I was carrying such a heavy load—but I literally felt the weight lifted. It was amazing.

Prayer – Lord, remember the day You entered Jerusalem, riding on a donkey? Of course, You do since You remember everything! What a bitter-sweet day—people were rejoicing…and yet You knew that there was immense pain ahead for You on Your way to the cross. The triumph and the rejection. Thank You, Lord, for being willing to go to the cross—to be willing to be the sacrifice for my sin and the sins of all mankind.

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

Saturday, March 28, 2026

What Do You Want Me to Do?

When Jesus heard them, he stopped and called, "What do you want me to do for you?" Matthew 20:32

Meditate. What do you want Jesus to do?

What Do You Want Me to Do for You? That is what Jesus asked some blind men…and others…before He healed them. What do you want Jesus to do for you? Are you expecting a healing, some relief from tribulations…or anxiety? What will you do for Jesus Christ? He told us to be prepared, on guard, or alert so that we are ready for His return at any time. Are you ready?

However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows. And since you don't know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert! Mark 13:32-33

What has Jesus done for you already? Have you not heard? Jesus died on a cross—as a sacrificial lamb—for the sins of all mankind. He didn’t die just for the Jews—He died for the people of all times all around the world. Jesus gave the ultimate gift—His very life. The greatest miracle was that Jesus didn’t remain dead…He was raised from the dead by our Heavenly Father…God Almighty. Jesus is God. No other god has been resurrected. He is now in Heaven preparing a place for us (see John 14). What do you want Him to do?

Spring is here.
Encourage others - be joyful.
Live in harmony and peace.

Paul wrote, advising other Christians to encourage others. That is what we can do for Jesus…encourage others.

Dear brothers and sisters, I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

What do I want Jesus to do for me? I look forward to Jesus return for the believers—to take us to our new home in Heaven that He is preparing for us. Come quickly, Jesus.

Prayer – O LORD, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them. Isaiah 25:1

Verse of Salvation ~ Hear me as I pray, O LORD. Be merciful and answer me! My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "LORD, I am coming." Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don't leave me now; don't abandon me, O God of my salvation! Psalm 27:7-9

Portions reused from September 26, 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.

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, March 27, 2026

Do You Want to Be Made Well?

After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. John 5:1-9 NKJV

Meditate. Consider healing on the Sabbath.

Thirty-eight years is a long time to be lame. If you’ve ever even twisted your ankle and needed to walk on crutches, you can imagine how it is to be a bit immobile. This sick man was there by this pool of healing water, but how did he get there? Did he live there, as it was a sort of hospital, or did someone just carry him and leave him there? He didn’t seem to have any friends or family to take him into the pool when the water was stirred up. He was at the mercy of those around him, and no one helped him. Each person was on their own. Sort of a me-first mentality. Then Jesus appeared on the scene, apparently visiting the “hospital” of the sick there near one of the Temple Gates. Jesus was there for the Passover, and the Temple area was likely filled with others there for the required Temple attendance.

Each year every man in Israel must celebrate these three festivals: the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the Festival of Harvest, and the Festival of Shelters. On each of these occasions, all men must appear before the LORD your God at the place he chooses, but they must not appear before the LORD without a gift for him. Deuteronomy 16:16

Psalm on the wall near David's home
in Jerusalem, Israel.

Jesus singled out this lame man of all the sick who were gathered there at the Pool of Bethesda hoping for the water to be stirred and heal them. He simply asked the man, “Do you want to be made well?” Do you want to be healed? What can I do for you? The man didn’t say “Yes” or “No”—just that no one was there to help him. He didn’t ask Jesus to carry him to the pool. Jesus didn’t carry this gentleman to the water. He just spoke the words, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." The guy miraculously did just what Jesus said. He got up. Instantly healed from his infirmity. Consider that after thirty-eight years of immobility, he was probably pretty weak, but he picked up his mat, the bed he’d been lying on all those years, and he walked. New strength in his legs. New strength in his arms. He was a new creature. Was he spiritually as well as physically renewed? I think that it was probably possible! Jesus had performed a miracle. But it was the Sabbath when no one could work, even carrying a mat was work. What will happen now?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Jesus was obedient in following the Jewish requirement to go to the Temple on the feast days. Some places note that this requirement only has to be fulfilled in Jerusalem once in a lifetime, and in other years, the required attendance can be at a local synagogue. Once again, Jesus was compassionate and merciful to the sick, this lame gentleman. What about all the others near this pool? Did they ask Jesus to heal them? There is no record of that in any of the Gospels. What do you think?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, help us to be compassionate to those around us who need assistance in their times of suffering, illness, or even just confusion. Show us how and where to be Your hands and feet. Bless us to bless others.

Verse of Salvation ~ See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The LORD GOD is my strength and my song; he has given me victory." With joy, you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! Isaiah 12:2-3

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

Seven foods are special in Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates (or date honey). Studies have been done on these seven fruits, and they have been found to have compounds that give them healing qualities. Let’s look at figs today. We should be seeing fresh figs in our local supermarkets beginning in late May through mid-June and then again at the end of August through October. They perish quickly, so use them right away when you buy them.

What do you suppose was Jesus’ favorite food? We know He liked figs and was disappointed that the fig tree along His path one day was barren. Figs are best eaten fresh and raw. My favorite way to eat figs is just to wash them, bite into them, and eat them fresh. Ahhhh. I am looking forward to some fresh figs from my own tree this summer.

What could be better than figs and chocolate? I found a scrumptious recipe for Chocolate Covered Figs on giverecipe.com on Pinterest and hope to try it as soon as there are fresh figs available.

Chocolate Covered Figs

7 ounces of the best quality chocolate bars (that is, two 3.5-ounce bars)

2 Tbsp COLD milk

6 fresh figs

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Add cold milk and mix. It will get thicker. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Divide into six balls, a bit larger than the figs. Flatten the balls out. Place a fig in the center of each chocolate ball and close it up. Place on parchment paper and refrigerate for 4 hours to overnight. Serve cold. Slice if desired.

Another good way to serve figs is roasted.

Grilled or Roasted Figs

Just slice in half and grill over indirect heat for a few minutes. The natural sugars will caramelize. If you like, you can just remove the stem and stuff it with gorgonzola cheese and then grill. Top with ice cream, if you like.

No grill. Broil instead. Cut figs in half, dip in a cinnamon and sugar mixture. Broil for 4 minutes. Enjoy!

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

Thursday, March 26, 2026

Do You Fast...or Celebrate?

One day the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus and asked him, "Why don't your disciples fast like we do and the Pharisees do?" Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests mourn while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved." Matthew 9:14-17

Once when John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, some people came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast like John's disciples and the Pharisees do?" Jesus replied, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. They can't fast while the groom is with them. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. "Besides, who would patch old clothing with new cloth? For the new patch would shrink and rip away from the old cloth, leaving an even bigger tear than before. "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the wine would burst the wineskins, and the wine and the skins would both be lost. New wine calls for new wineskins." Mark 2:18-22

One day some people said to Jesus, "John the Baptist's disciples fast and pray regularly, and so do the disciples of the Pharisees. Why are your disciples always eating and drinking?" Jesus responded, "Do wedding guests fast while celebrating with the groom? Of course not. But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast." Then Jesus gave them this illustration: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to patch an old garment. For then the new garment would be ruined, and the new patch wouldn't even match the old garment. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the new wine would burst the wineskins, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine must be stored in new wineskins. But no one who drinks the old wine seems to want the new wine. 'The old is just fine,' they say." Luke 5:33-39

Meditate on fasting.

These scripture passages are all so similar. Matthew was one of Jesus’ disciples (Luke 6:13-16), and so it is assumed that he was there with Jesus when He taught these parables associated with fasting. He was there when Jesus was arrested in the Garden. Mark, also known as John Mark, wrote an account of the arrest of Jesus that mentions a young man who runs away in a sheet, which is taken away. That guy is assumed to be Mark, who wrote that book. Later, he traveled with Paul and then with his cousin, Barnabus (Acts 15:37 and Colossians 4:10). Luke was not a disciple of Jesus, but he also traveled with Paul and likely heard the stories directly from Mark. The stories were passed around and written down, building the Gospel account of Jesus.

Do you fast or celebrate and eat?
Buffet at a hotel at the Dead Sea.
Israel

Fasting, going without food, for the purpose of devotion to God, was what people expected of Jesus and His disciples. But, Jesus used a couple of parables to illustrate the point that He and His disciples were not fasting. Those parables included a groom at a wedding, a patch made of new fabric, and putting new wine in old wineskins. He simply used examples of real life that people would understand. No one wants to fast at a wedding celebration. Rejoice and be happy—enjoy the time and people while you are alive and well.

Women knew the importance of using old or preshrunk fabric to repair a torn garment. If new fabric is used, it will shrink when it is washed, thus tearing the old fabric. Similar idea describes the use of with the wineskins. Wineskins need to expand as the wine continues to ferment after it is put in the wine bags. If old wineskins are used, they will burst as the new wine expands. So that means the wine and the wineskins will both will be ruined, lost. Good examples that were applicable to that time. We don’t use wineskins these days, and quite frankly, when was the last time you heard about someone mending torn fabric at all, whether with new or old fabric?

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage? Jesus enjoyed good food and good company. Can you imagine Him laughing and singing at a wedding party? He was practical when it came to illustrating and comparing different situations in His parables.

Do you fast or celebrate while we wait on the bridegroom?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for these parables and the consideration of fasting. Fasting is good not only for losing weight, but also for focusing on You, devoting our time and energy to building our relationship with You. May we rejoice and then fast as the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. Help us to apply Your word to our lives.

Verse of Salvation ~ And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD; It shall rejoice in His salvation. Psalm 35:9 NKJV

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

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Banquet Time

Invite Jesus to a Banquet at your home.
Levi did--along with many other people.
Jesus and His disciples were feasting at the
Richland Naz Church Last Supper drama.

Later, Levi held a banquet in his home with Jesus as the guest of honor. Many of Levi's fellow tax collectors and other guests also ate with them. But the Pharisees and their teachers of religious law complained bitterly to Jesus' disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with such scum?" Jesus answered them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent." Luke 5:29-32

Later, Levi invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. (There were many people of this kind among Jesus' followers.) But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, "Why does he eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he told them, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Mark 2:15-17

Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with such scum?" When Jesus heard this, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do." Then he added, "Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: 'I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.' For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners." Matthew 9:10-13

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

Scum!? Those righteous Pharisees considered the tax collectors and others to be scum. But who needed a doctor?

Jesus said…Healthy people don't need a doctor—sick people do. Do you need a doctor? What kind of doctor? A physician to heal your body? A psychologist for your mental stability? Or a specialist—like Jesus—for your spiritual health?

Jesus was the great physician. He could and did it all. He healed the blind and lame (Matthew 15:30), cured the demon-possessed (Matthew 8:16), and offered eternal life to everyone who believes (John 5:24). Do you need a doctor…or do you need more of Jesus in your life? How do you get more of Jesus? Pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal more of Jesus and anoint your life with a deeper understanding. Then read God’s Word expecting to receive a blessing, wisdom, and understanding. Does that seem too simple to do? Well, if you seek Jesus with all of your heart, you will find Him.

But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice. For the LORD your God is a compassionate God; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them. Deuteronomy 4:29-31 NASB

Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Isaiah 55:6 NLT

What a great promise…

I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me. Proverbs 8:17 NASB

Claim that promise…seek the Lord and find Him. He is worth the search…eternally worth it! And when you find Him…like a treasure…share Him with others. Job’s friend counseled him…

If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him. He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles. Job 5:8-9

God is still in the miracle business. He still loves and cares about people. Seek Him while you can find Him.

What do you learn from Jesus in this passage?

Prayer – Lord God, I treasure that You have allowed me to “find” You…to see You in all that I do. You provide me with everything I need and more…from parking places, warm clothes during the cold winter, a comfortable home, and a loving family. I have it all…and You. I look forward to seeing You face to face one day….and throughout eternity. Please continue to bless me, my family and friends, and all who read this blog…and especially search for You in Your Word today.

Verse of Salvation ~ But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors me. If you keep to my path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God." Psalm 50:23

Portions recycled from 2018, 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