Feeding the Five Thousand

Jan 17, 2026

Thanks for the blessing

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Then Jesus took the loaves, and when he had given thanks, he distributed the bread to those who were seated. He then did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted.

John 6:11 (NET)

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I find it interesting that, culturally, when we pray over our food, we often call it, “blessing the food.”

I suppose, in effect, that’s what Jesus did.

But that’s not how it’s described.

Jesus gave thanks before passing it out.

I suspect there are a few reasons God chose to describe this miracle to us like this.

First, because that’s what He did.

(I know. Super profound. Yet it’s important to remember the foundational details of truth when we think & apply Scripture.)

Second, I think it’s something He did regularly. I mean, the verse implies that He did the same thing (i.e., give thanks) before distributing the fish too.

I usually pray over the meal as a whole, not the individual elements making up each course.

I don’t want to get legalistic here. I doubt Jesus was teaching us it was necessary to pray over every course.

But there is an example He was setting here.

He was already in perfect communion with the Father, so if He took the time to give thanks aloud, He did it for our benefit.

We ought to be a people who gives thanks for what God has given to us.

(Which, of course, is everything.)

I’m not preaching this at you; I need to be better at this myself.

Just sharing my thoughts.

— Ricky Ketchum

Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are from the ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright© 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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