Banquet With The King: October 2026

Friday, October 23, 2026

Take the Lowest Seat

When Jesus noticed that all who had come to the dinner were trying to sit in the seats of honor near the head of the table, he gave them this advice: "When you are invited to a wedding feast, don't sit in the seat of honor. What if someone who is more distinguished than you has also been invited? The host will come and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed, and you will have to take whatever seat is left at the foot of the table! "Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, 'Friend, we have a better place for you!' Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Luke 14:7-11

Meditate on priorities.

When was the last time you were invited to a wedding with a huge dinner as the reception? Were there table assignments or name place cards indicating just where you should sit? No seating arrangements? Where did you choose to sit? Wedding receptions tend to be just cake and punch—but still there are tables and seating. Do you sit at the back of the room…the side or center? How well do you know the bride and groom? Choices—choices! There are always so many choices to make.

Jesus was giving an etiquette lesson. Be nice. Choose the seat farthest away. Then if you are honored by the host, he will move you closer to the head table. It doesn’t matter if it is a wedding banquet, Sabbath dinner, church potluck, or a birthday party. Take the lowest seat. You’re not the star of the day, so don’t put yourself in an embarrassing position. Jesus gives us such good advice. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Proverbs provides us with a couple of verses along this same thought.

Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor. Proverbs 18:12

Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor. Proverbs 29:23

These are in the New Living Translation. Read them in the Amplified or The Message for an even deeper conviction.

What do we gain from knowing this advice from our Lord and Savior, Jesus?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank You for Your lesson on etiquette in this Scripture passage. It is good to save face and not be humbled or humiliated in public. Holy Spirit, thank You for reminding and guiding us through even little things like where to sit in a gathering.

Verse of Salvation ~ (In David’s praise after the Ark was brought into the Tabernacle.) Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. Cry out, "Save us, O God of our salvation! Gather and rescue us from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you." 1 Chronicles 16:34-35

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

My Grand Pumpkin Sweeties...
several years ago!

It is pumpkin harvest time. Cook up some fresh pumpkin or open a can of pumpkin puree and make some soft yummy cookies. My kids loved these every fall when they were growing up.

Libby’s Pumpkin Cookies

4 c. unsifted flour (part whole wheat if desired)

2 c uncooked oatmeal

2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp salt

1½ c butter, softened

1 c packed brown sugar

1 c cane sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

16 ounces pumpkin puree (not pie filling)

1 c chocolate chips or chopped nuts, optional

Canned icing or peanut butter for icing. Decorate with assorted candy, raisins, or nuts as desired.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment or lightly grease.

Combine flour, soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.

Cream butter, add sugars, beat until light and fluffy. Add egg and vanilla. Mix. Alternately add dry ingredients and pumpkin to egg mixture, mixing well after each addition. Stir n any chips and/or nuts as desired.

Drop ¼ cup dough onto cookie sheets. Shape like a pumpkin if desired. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until lightly browned and firm. Remove from cookie sheets to racks to cool. Ice and decorate as you wish. Makes about 32 large cookies. Enjoy with some cold milk or warm eggnog.

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 22, 2026

They Could Not Answer…Again

Jesus breaking bread with His disciples.
Drama at Richland Naz church.

One Sabbath day Jesus went to eat dinner in the home of a leader of the Pharisees, and the people were watching him closely. There was a man there whose arms and legs were swollen. Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in religious law, "Is it permitted in the law to heal people on the Sabbath day, or not?" When they refused to answer, Jesus touched the sick man and healed him and sent him away. Then he turned to them and said, "Which of you doesn't work on the Sabbath? If your son or your cow falls into a pit, don't you rush to get him out?" Again they could not answer. Luke 14:1-6

Meditate on Jesus healing, again, on the Sabbath.

Some of the Pharisees have a gift of Hospitality—inviting Jesus to Shabot dinner. They really just wanted to trick Him, as they clearly were watching Him closely. A man with dropsy, swelling of the arms and legs, was also at this dinner. Was he purposely invited? Customs are different in different countries. It may have been that he didn’t have to have an “invitation” to be there, but those Pharisees could see for themselves that this man was sick. He needed to be healed. They couldn’t heal that poor fellow, but they knew Jesus could and suspected that He would do just that.

When Jesus confronted the Pharisees, challenging them about it being permissible or not to heal on the Sabbath, those Jewish leaders didn’t even have the respect to answer Jesus. Then Jesus did the miracle they were all expecting. He healed that sick man and sent him on his way. Precious to the Lord Jesus, but the Pharisees didn’t seem to care. They didn’t even answer when Jesus asked them if they’d save their own son or cow if they were in trouble on the Sabbath. They didn’t or couldn’t answer.

Would you do what the Pharisees did? Invite Jesus to an important meal and then treat Him rudely? Stand up for Jesus and He will stand up for you.

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. James 4:10 NLT

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

Prayer – Lord Jesus, as usual, You are compassionate. Way to go! It would be just mean for You to not heal that poor fellow. I’ll bet that he was nearly skipping and whooping as he hurried back to his family! Healed! I’m rejoicing with him and You! Please continue to heal…and I can think of several people who need Your healing touch. Thank You!

Verse of Salvation ~ "Then your salvation will come like the dawn, and your wounds will quickly heal. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the LORD will protect you from behind. Isaiah 58:8

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

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

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

More Than a Prophet

Morning Glory flowers
as seen outside of Jerusalem, Israel.
Did these flowers welcome Jesus?

At that time some Pharisees said to him, "Get away from here if you want to live! Herod Antipas wants to kill you!" Jesus replied, "Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and the third day I will accomplish my purpose. Yes, today, tomorrow, and the next day I must proceed on my way. For it wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! Luke 13:31-33

Meditate. Consider Jesus’ threats of murder.

Herod…and the family of Herod…had always wanted to kill Jesus. Think about when He was born and the Herod of that time had all the baby boys under two killed. Has He ever been safe? Did He come to earth just to be “safe”—safe from what? Even the Pharisees wanted to kill Him.

Jesus came to teach, heal, cast out demons, and guide humanity into God’s way…and to die. He came to be killed on a cross…in Jerusalem. He knew that. So that’s why He said… it wouldn't do for a prophet of God to be killed except in Jerusalem! He had to go through other villages and not be killed there—but go into Jerusalem. Would any of us have done what Jesus did? Obediently going to the cross…and die there…so that humans could be forgiven finally for the actions of Eve and Adam? That is just what He did. That is what Jesus’ mission was. Mission accomplished. He finished it.

At this point, chronologically, in His mission, Jesus was on the final trip to Jerusalem.

What do we really learn about Jesus from this scripture today? Does it bring us into a deeper relationship with Him?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You were a man with a mission. You were more than a prophet. You are our Lord, our Saviour, and our King. Thank You for obediently following our Heavenly Father’s plan.

Verse of Salvation ~ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. Romans 8:38

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 20, 2026

Will Only A Few Be Saved?

Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he went, always pressing on toward Jerusalem. Someone asked him, "Lord, will only a few be saved?" He replied, "Work hard to enter the narrow door to God's Kingdom, for many will try to enter but will fail. When the master of the house has locked the door, it will be too late. You will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Lord, open the door for us!' But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from.' Then you will say, 'But we ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.' And he will reply, 'I tell you, I don't know you or where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil.' There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south--to take their places in the Kingdom of God. And note this: Some who seem least important now will be the greatest then, and some who are the greatest now will be least important then." Luke 13:22-30

Meditate. Consider the path you’re walking down.

Gate at Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

Consider how you feel going down a path with gates ahead—wide gate or narrow gate? Which would you choose? Easy and carefree—a wide gate that may begin a downhill stretch of the path; or would you choose the challenging narrow gate that may lead to a bit of an uphill climb? The paths are not labeled—“Destruction” and “Life.” We need to make wise choices and ask God to show us, along each step of the way, which way is the good way. It may be through the narrow gate—toward truth and life. Remember, “Ask,” and you will receive. Jesus beckons us from this gate at the Garden of Gethsemane to come to Him.

What path are you following—a narrow or wide one? Jesus points out that the way to Him—to life—is going through a narrow gate. This same story is told in the book of Matthew. Again, we are challenged…will you choose the narrow gate?

You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow, and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Work hard to enter the narrow door to God’s Kingdom. No one can “work” to receive their salvation—it is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). As Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth and in Philippi, we need to “work out” our holy salvation with fear and trembling.

Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete holiness because we fear God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

We need to be obedient to God’s will and give Him our total honor and respect—fear and reverence. God wants us to be holy because He is holy. One day we will be pure—radiantly filled with holiness as we stand before our God. Jesus will open the door if He knows you. Now will you choose to listen to Him, to know Him as Savior, and to obey His every calling as you journey through the narrow gate and down the Lord’s narrow path?

What do you learn about Jesus from this scripture today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, I choose You. You are the way, the truth, and the life—the very gate to life forever with You. You paid the price with Your death on the cross. I’ll follow You down the narrow path—even if the way is steep and difficult. Help me to be obedient—to see Your path clearly.

Verse of Salvation ~ Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:12-13 (Underlined for emphasis.)

Portions reused from February 25, 2012, and November 30, 2024, Banquet With The King, blogs.

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 19, 2026

Sabbath Healing – He Touched Her

Will you take care of your donkey...
on the Sabbath?

One Sabbath day as Jesus was teaching in a synagogue, he saw a woman who had been crippled by an evil spirit. She had been bent double for eighteen years and was unable to stand up straight. When Jesus saw her, he called her over and said, "Dear woman, you are healed of your sickness!" Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. How she praised God! But the leader in charge of the synagogue was indignant that Jesus had healed her on the Sabbath day. "There are six days of the week for working," he said to the crowd. "Come on those days to be healed, not on the Sabbath." But the Lord replied, "You hypocrites! Each of you works on the Sabbath day! Don't you untie your ox or your donkey from its stall on the Sabbath and lead it out for water? This dear woman, a daughter of Abraham, has been held in bondage by Satan for eighteen years. Isn't it right that she be released, even on the Sabbath?" This shamed his enemies, but all the people rejoiced at the wonderful things he did. Luke 13:10-17

Meditate. Consider this woman in bondage to an evil spirit for eighteen years.

This event occurred on the Sabbath day. A day set aside for no work—for anyone. There were similar healing accounts on Sabbath days in the following passages:

A man with a deformed hand – Matthew 12:9-14; Mark 3:1-6; and Luke 6:6-11

A few people in Nazareth – Mark 6:1-5

A blind beggar - John 9:8-15

A lame man at the pool of Bethesda – John 5:1-15.

The Pharisees challenged Jesus about working on the Sabbath at each healing occasion. They were just looking for a reason to discredit Him and to kill Him. Was it a simple case of jealously? They couldn’t heal on any day, let alone the Sabbath. Was Jesus the Messiah? From whom did He get His power? There were lots of questions. The Pharisees didn’t have the answers, but they didn’t trust Jesus.

Do you trust Jesus? He still has the power to forgive sins, to heal, to be your Savior, the Messiah.

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

Prayer – Lord Jesus, thank you for healing that woman with the evil spirit, and each of us. Without You and the forgiveness You offer, we would be blinded by a heavy load of sin and shame just like that woman.

Verse of Salvation ~ So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy." 1 Peter 1:13-16

Happy Birthday Blessings, dear Linda M!

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 18, 2026

Enjoy the Figs

Then Jesus told this story: "A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. Finally, he said to his gardener, 'I've waited three years, and there hasn't been a single fig! Cut it down. It's just taking up space in the garden.' "The gardener answered, 'Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I'll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down.'" – Luke 13:6-9

Meditate on the wisdom of care and feeding…and the sweetness of figs.

Figs growing on my tree!

My sweet husband gave me a fig tree several years ago for my birthday! Almost immediately we were blessed with a few ripe figs—small, but very tasty! I am thrilled since I love figs! My Grand kiddos have been equally excited about picking and eating them! I can imagine how disappointed this man was at not having any figs on the tree when he was hungry for figs…and the tree was barren. Three years seems like a long time to wait for figs…or any fruit. I experienced a few years of no fruit after I planted my fig tree in the ground. I waited…no growth. I thought I’d killed that precious fig tree, but I babied it for several years—some fertilizer and lots of water. The result…several stalks grew from that one spindly tree and we finally had LOTS of fruit. This year I had probably over forty figs!

This narrative that Jesus told isn’t really about figs…but the fig tree represents the nation of Israel and the story is about being spiritually fruitful. Jesus spoke right before this about repenting. He wanted the Jews to be obedient. Repent or perish (Luke 13:5). He was giving them another chance. According to the Biblical commentator Matthew Henry, this fig tree is grown in a garden well-tended by the gardener. The church of God is the garden and we are the fig trees planted in that garden. God expects us to produce fruit—giving Him glory and honor. For three years the owner, God, came and found no fruit. That is very sad. No fruit—no honoring God. Are we like that? God wanted the tree cut down, but the gardener, Jesus, wanted to give that fig tree another year—another chance. That’s our Lord Jesus—the giver of another chance. Giving us special attention so that we can use our opportunities to honor the Heavenly Father—to produce fruit.

Are you producing fruit? The fruit of the Spirit.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Galatians 5:22-23

Let the Holy Spirit work in your life…produce His fruit.

What do we learn about Jesus from this scripture passage?

Prayer – Lord, may Your Grace be evident in my life and change me—that I would honor You in everything I think, say and do. May the Gifts of the Spirit in my life draw others to You.

Verse of Salvation ~ And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6-7

Portions reused from July 24, 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.

Saturday, October 17, 2026

It is Time for a Choice

About this time Jesus was informed that Pilate had murdered some people from Galilee as they were offering sacrifices at the Temple. "Do you think those Galileans were worse sinners than all the other people from Galilee?" Jesus asked. "Is that why they suffered? Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God. And what about the eighteen people who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them? Were they the worst sinners in Jerusalem? No, and I tell you again that unless you repent, you will perish, too." Luke 13:1-5

Meditate on the value of repenting.

Sundial - keeping God's time
Matino Park, Spokane

Repent or perish. Pretty straightforward. The choice is for each of us to make. Repent. Turn back to God. Do it now…before it is too late. We all have the same amount of time… what matters is how we use it. You’ve time. Time to think. Time to focus on your attitude towards God…towards Jesus. Time to return to the life that God wants for you.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment. 2 Peter 3:8-10

We don’t know when the Rapture (removal of believers from the earth) or the Day of the Lord (day of God’s judgment) will happen…but Jesus told us to be ready.

You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. Luke 12:40

Part of being ready is repenting. Do a Biblical search for yourself on “repent,” and you’ll find lots of encouragement to repent.

Gather before judgment begins, before your time to repent is blown away like chaff. Act now, before the fierce fury of the LORD falls and the terrible day of the LORD's anger begins. Zephaniah 2:2

How often do you read Zephaniah? Bet it has been a while since you cracked open that minor prophet. The message is there…repent. Act now. The choice is yours. How are you using your time?

What do you gain about Jesus’ character from this scripture passage focus today?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You said…My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father's hand. John 10:27-29. I am listening to Your voice.

Verse of Salvation ~ "The time promised by God has come at last!" he (Jesus) announced. "The Kingdom of God is near! Repent of your sins and believe the Good News!" Mark 1:15

Portions reused from April 4, 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

Friday, October 16, 2026

Paid in Pennies?

Depiction of Roman Coins.
Biblical era.
Are they worth pennies?

When you are on the way to court with your accuser, try to settle the matter before you get there. Otherwise, your accuser may drag you before the judge, who will hand you over to an officer, who will throw you into prison. And if that happens, you won't be free again until you have paid the very last penny. Luke 12:58-59

Meditate on disagreements that could go to court.

I’ve never understood the whole idea of keeping a person in prison or jail until they have paid their fine. How can they pay when they can’t work to earn money? Did their family have to raise the money? Was there a possible servanthood established to work off the payment? The same thing happens in the court system today. A person can be fined as well as sentenced to jail or prison time. How do they pay? The pennies all add up.

Jesus recommends that the person try to settle the matter with the accuser before going in front of the judge. No jail time is involved unless the court assigns it. Wise advice.

Consider who the judge is if you put this into a spiritual context. Jesus is our ultimate judge.

What do we learn about Jesus from this passage?

Prayer – Lord Jesus, You give such wise advice. I guess that is because You know everything! Thank You for providing us insight into any problem we might have—especially those we create for ourselves. Most of all…Thank You for taking our sins to the cross. We would be lost, forsaken, and eternally dead without You. You’ve shown us amazing grace.

Verse of Salvation ~ You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. Colossians 2:13-15

Friday’s Feast at the King’s Table

The key to enjoying a good meal is to have good health. Good health depends on a good immune system. Garlic is a healthy food that supports our immune system to prevent disease and to help restore good health. Garlic is very effective at destroying bacteria and viruses. Interestingly, garlic is only eliminated from the body via the respiratory system. As it goes, it takes the bacteria and viruses with it. So breathe deeply…always…and have some garlic and honey regularly.

We can’t live on bread alone. Sometimes, we just crave a little something sweet. A spoonful—even a very small spoonful—of honey may be just what we need. Honey is a great anti-inflammatory food with antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Combine it with another antibacterial and disease fighting food, garlic, you actually get a symbiotic effect. The two together work better than either one alone. To combine these two miraculous foods, you can pickle or ferment garlic in honey.

Cold season is upon us…and the flu is not far behind. Remember the old adage…Feed a cold, starve a fever. I find that with a cold and sore throat, some chicken soup is best along with some lemon and honey. Actually, fermented garlic honey is the very best. I still had a little left from last year and have brewed up a couple more pint jars with local honey and fresh garlic from my garden to use this fall and winter.

Essence of Garlic-Honey

Heads of roasted garlic.
You can ferment these with honey.
To your health!

A head of fresh garlic

Local pure honey

Simply crush the cloves of one head of garlic and place in a sterile pint jar. Cover with raw, unpasteurized local honey, filling to within one-half inch of the top of the jar. Seal and set on your counter for a few days, turning the jar over to gently shake it a couple of times daily. After about a week, simply use the honey, by the spoonful in anyway you would use honey, and use the garlic in the way you normally use garlic. Both together would be good in salad dressings, in meat or vegetable marinates, or even in soup or stew. Store for a month at room temperature.

Over the years, I’ve had a bit of a sore throat, from postnasal drip—not Covid—and a tiny spoonful of this honey-garlic mixture amazingly takes away that scratchy soreness. Recently, I drizzled it over thinly sliced apples for a quick dessert. You could do that for a snack, too. Yum.

Do you like honey? Don't eat too much, or it will make you sick! Proverbs 25:16

Portions of Friday’s Feast comes from March 4, 2016, and January 21, 2022, Banquet With The King blogs

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

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