There are two kinds of kings in Scripture. In the gospel of Mark, chapter 6, we see them placed side by side so that we might see the stark contrast between them.
Herod had a big birthday bash, and the daughter of his illicit wife danced for them all, and Herod promised to give her anything she wanted. What she wanted,
instigated by her mother, was the head of John the Baptist on a platter. John had rebuked Herod for taking his brother’s wife, and Herodias had it in for him. So this is a great feast, and John’s head was brought into the feast—on a dinner platter. This is one kind of king, the kind who devours his people.
Immediately after this, Jesus goes out into a desolate place, and a multitude follow Him there, about five thousand men. He has compassion for them all, for they were like sheep without a shepherd, and it says that He taught them many things. When the day was late, He tells his disciples to feed them. They say they cannot, and so Jesus does. Here is another kind of banquet, with another kind of king. This king feeds the people.
So we have a sumptuous palace, and a king who devours the substance of the people, and we have a desolate waste, and a king who miraculously feeds the people there. We live in a time of grasping and avaricious rulers, who want to take what you have earned. They want to eat you. But we are also Christians, and this means we live in time, and we serve a king, whose intent is to feed you. And here it is, bread and wine, salvation and gospel. Come, and welcome.