IN THIS SEASON OF GIVING SPECIAL THANKS, I’ve not only recalled how Jesus told others to give thanks, but I’ve also been prompted to look for what Jesus, Himself, gave thanks. Two recorded instances come to mind—apart from thanks for meals.
Once, after facing the disappointment that despite His many miracles only the lowly and spiritually poor of Israel flocked to His message, Jesus says (in Matthew 11:25—New Living Translation): “O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, thank you for hiding the truth from those who think themselves so wise and clever, and for revealing it to the childlike.”
Another time is when Jesus orders the stone to be removed from the mouth of Lazarus’ tomb, and He says (in John 11:41-43): “Father, thank you for hearing me. You always hear me, but I said it out loud for the sake of all these people standing here, so they will believe you sent me.” Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!”
In both instances, Jesus speaks His thanks for His Father’s work in bringing understanding to people who are desperate for hope: in one instance, the poor and spiritually disenfranchised and, in the other, dear friends who long for a miracle and obey Jesus’ unusual command even when hope seems impossible. In both cases, Jesus gives thanks that God is revealing Himself and opening hearts to truths that have been lost: that God is the God of all people, and that God sent His Son to conquer sin and death. This enlightenment is everything, even today, whether we are intimately acquainted with Jesus or just hanging about on the fringes of the crowd in hopes of glimpsing Him.
In addition to reviewing Jesus’ thanksgivings, I also thought about how Jesus considered us as gifts. In John 17:6-8, Jesus says: “I have told these men about you. They were in the world, but then you gave them to me…” And then in verse 20 He says: “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me because of their testimony.”
Similar to (although it is an imperfect analogy) the way that we give a puppy to a child to raise and be responsible for, God has given Jesus a world of people to rescue.
Sometimes I feel like a pretty tattered gift for the Son of God to open. But when I realize how fully He loves and gives Himself for His gifts, I am grateful to be one of His presents! This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for what Jesus was thankful for; and I am grateful to belong to Him.
Happy Thanksgiving, friends, from Scott and me!
P.S. The attached picture (minus the wording) is a montage with paint accents called “Coming On the Clouds.” I created it several years. ago.
