A Thanksgiving Message

Giving Thanks Like Jesus


The Pilgrims provide a great model for our Thanksgiving season. But there is one that is even greater. Let us examine how Jesus gave thanks.

Mark 6:35-44
Mark 8:1-9
John 11:38-44
Mark 14:22-25

1. Notice that Jesus gave thanks on the "unfinished side".

He gave thanks before anything had ever happened. Still had only a handful of food, Lazarus was still dead. Yet He gave thanks.

Now you may say, that is because He knew what was about to happen. Think about the things we know.

Hebrews 13:5

Matthew 7:9-12

Romans 8:28

We have plenty of cause to give thanks on the "unfinished side".

2. Jesus gave thanks at all times.

Jesus stood before massive crowds of hungry people a couple of fries short of a Happy Meal....and He gave thanks.

Where is the strangest place you have ever given thanks?

3. Jesus gave thanks in even the most difficult situations.

In the upper room, knowing exactly what stood before Him, Jesus gave thanks for the very symbols of His upcoming anguish. (The scene that follows in the Garden gives a glimpse into what must have been on His mind in those moments.)

Too often, he state that "God is good....the test results came back negative." The truth is God is good no matter what the test results say!

May we learn to be thankful in even the darkest moments.

Paul summarized the Jesus way of thanksgiving in Philippians 4:6

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.