Matthew 15:32  “I have compassion for these people.”  15;37 “They all ate and were satisfied.”

This is the second such miraculous feeding, this time he fed four thousand plus. It reveals, once again, Jesus’ heart of compassion for all who are in need and in distress who come to Him. Matthew paints a picture of an entire region taking their needy ones to Jesus who not only welcomes all but also heals all including the lame and blind, the crippled, the mute and many others.

Jesus’ healing power was so strong that those who were healed forgot about food. After three days Jesus’ compassion drove him to meet a common need – hunger, and the need for sustenance. Jesus knew that feeding them was a stop-gap measure, once and done; no, they will all die eventually. But he fed them in any case, employing seven loaves and a few fish for the huge crowd. “They all ate and were satisfied.”

Healed and well-fed, Jesus bid them goodbye and simply left them to pursue his divine ministry.

For me, this feeding reveals Jesus’ compassion.  It also highlights the fact that all he healed will return home – to die like everyone else, ultimately, but now with the knowledge that God cares for each person. Jesus is not the end of sickness and hunger in the world but his compassion never wavers for a moment – ever.