Gratitude

Gratitude (by David Peterson at The Rock Of Jesus Church)

In reflection of Thanksgiving, James Early points out 3 times that Jesus gave thanks to God:

Luke 10:21 – For hidden truths and revealing truths to childlike hearts.

John 11:41 – For answering His prayer to bring Lazurus back to life.

Matthew 26:26-29 – With bread and wine to remember His life’s purpose.

Giving thanks and gratitude were among the teachings of Jesus as when He gave thanks before feeding the hungry masses who followed Him. In the famous story of Jesus producing enough food to feed 5,000 men in Matthew 14, (plus nearly 15,000 women and children), He took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and fed the multitudes.

Matthew 14:19

“Jesus looked up to heaven, He blessed the bread and fish, He broke the bread, gave it to the disciples who then gave the food to those gathered.”

Scripture does not report Jesus giving thanks here. However, in Matthew 15:36-38, we read of Jesus feeding another 4,000 men with 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. Here, He gave thanks before He handed the food to His followers for the fourth example.

By His exemplary prayer practices Jesus teaches us to praise our God and thank Him for the gifts and blessings bestowed upon us. With our sincere gratitude, we honor Him. This is the way to become, in the words of Augustine, “An Alleluiah from head to toe!”

We also can find inspiration to thank God by singing hymns that honor Him. The year 1844 saw Henry Alford write the hymn “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come". Here is the first verse;

Come, ye thankful people, come,

raise the song of harvest home;

all is safely gathered in,

ere the winter storms begin.

God our Maker doth provide

for our wants to be supplied;

come to God's own temple, come,

raise the song of harvest home.

Alford captures the spirit of thanksgiving and harvest along with God’s providence.

Let us pray: Savior Jesus, we thank you for taking care of us, seeing us through trying times, and for loving us. You steer us and provide us an abundance for which we are grateful! Amen.