Sunday 2 August 2026

Psalm 145

Background
The fact that this is one of very few events in the life of Jesus which is told by all four gospel writers suggests it was very significant. The idea of God’s promised Messiah hosting a great banquet was a key Jewish expectation, and the event reported in this passage is often seen as Jesus making a claim of Messiahship for those with perception.

However, perhaps the most notable thing the passage states, rather than implies, is that Jesus was motivated by compassion which led him to both cure the sick (v. 14) and feed the hungry. It is no surprise that historically medical care and famine relief, along with education, have accompanied the arrival of the Christian gospel to a new audience.

It is the disciples who bring to Jesus’ attention the need for the crowd to be fed (v. 15) and they propose a very reasonable solution. However it is unlikely to be viable for a crowd of perhaps ten thousand (verse 21) to find bread in the small nearby villages, particularly by evening and in what we know to be springtime since there is grass (v. 19), when last year’s harvest would have been running low so grain would have been used sparingly. Therefore a miraculous solution to the problem is needed. A parallel is the provision of the manna in the wilderness (Exodus 16).

We notice that Jesus doesn’t pray for a miracle but rather offers God thanks for the food, as was normal practice at a meal (v. 19). God in the Old Testament, like Jesus here, would take what his servants brought him and multiply its effectiveness: see, for example, 2 Kings 4:1-7.

It was considered good practice in the ancient world for a good host to provide somewhat more food than was needed. That happens here but notice that the leftover food is not allowed to go to waste (v. 20).

To Ponder:

• To what extent are curing the sick and feeding the hungry good expressions of compassion by followers of Jesus today, or what should we be doing instead?
• Do you think it is true to say that Jesus performed the miracle because there was no alternative way to meet the need?
• What steps have you taken to avoid wasting food?
• Is thanking God at mealtime still a good practice?

Prayer
Thank you Father for your provision for all my needs. May my thankfulness increase my compassion for those who lack basic necessities, and my determination to make a difference for them. Amen.

Bible notes author: The Revd Dr Stephen Mosedale
Stephen is a retired Methodist minister living near Exeter. He served in West Africa and Scotland and was a New Testament tutor at Cliff College.