When Jesus said Thanks

When Jesus said thanks

Where did we get the pattern for saying a prayer before we eat? Jesus.  There are three main events recorded in the gospels where Jesus said “thank you”.  Two of those circumstances involved the eating of food and one was at the resurrection of Lazarus.  So why should you pray before you eat?

When Jesus fed the 5000 he prayed this prayer – “Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.” John 6:11 NIV.  So what did “gave thanks” mean?   From HELP’s studies (2168 euxaristéō (from 2095 /eú, "good" and 5485/xaris, "grace") – properly, acknowledging that "God's grace works well," i.e. for our eternal gain and His glory; to give thanks – literally, "thankful for God's good grace.").  In other words, it is not just a comment of gratitude.  Rather, this word acknowledges the underserved favor of God (grace) at work toward us for His glory.  Jesus knew the miracle of feeding 5000 people was an expression of God’s grace toward him and the people present. 

Have you heard people say that we need to say “grace” before we eat?  This is an expression taken from this Greek meaning of the word acknowledging God’s providential favor for the entire experience.  Yes, we are thankful for the food and for those who prepared it.  But we also are thankful for all who are gathered to share life together, no matter how big or small the gathering.  The whole experience of a meal can carry the attitude of gratitude for God’s favor.

Jesus gave thanks for the cup and the bread at his last supper with his disciples in which we now commemorate as Communion.  Jesus was giving thanks for  his death experience that he was about to endure.  Not because of the pain and brutality of the beatings, humiliation, and finally crucifixion on the cross.  Rather, He saw God’s good grace that would be experienced by all the followers  through His sacrifice of dying in their place.  Sometimes it is good that we have to sacrifice for others.  As parents we shield our children from unjust pain through our hard work.  Sometimes we are falsely accused and we turn the other cheek.  Sometimes we let God bring judgment on another, instead of pursuing our rights to make us look better.  In all we look to see how God’s good grace working through us will help bring about his eternal glory.

Finally, “41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me” John 11:41-42 NIV.  Jesus gave thanks before the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead.  Wow, Jesus gave thanks for the knowledge that God heard his prayer.  Do we really believe that God hears our prayers?  When you pray for the sick…does God really hear you or do you think He is just amused at your prayer like listening to a child learning to talk?  The key is in the meaning of thanks.  Anytime we pray we are invoking God’s good grace and favor into our conversation.  We can do nothing on our own, but through His grace we are encouraged to approach the throne of God’s grace boldly and present our request.  I am praying for you and I right now that we will see an increase in our prayer lives as we experience God’s good grace working in us and through us for His good pleasure.  Jesus said in John 16:24 “24Until now you have not asked for anything in My name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.” NIV

Ask God to open your eyes to see the incredible abundance of the evidence of God’s good grace in your life.  I am sure that it will bring about a heart full of gratitude that you can share with others this Thanksgiving.

Come to Me even when I see all about you - Whisper from Father, God

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” ⁹ For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” ¹¹ So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.  Luke 5:8-11 NIV

Why do you find it difficult to approach me?  What aspect of the ugliness of sin makes you afraid to be in my presence?  From the beginning Adam expressed fear and tried to hide from me after he violated my command.  It is true that when light and dark collide, all of the darkness has to flee.

Jacob had to run away from his home after stealing the blessing.  Judah hid behind self-righteousness while confronting Tamar’s sexual misconduct.  Joseph’s brothers put blood on their hands to escape the betrayal of selling out Joseph. Saul, the people made me do it, hid behind the fear of man.  David pursued the busyness of life (thinking I would forget because of the passage of time) until I helped him see “that thou art the man”.

Because of my Son’s death on the cross, he made a pathway for you to come to me.  David expressed that I have all knowledge about him, yet he still asked that I reveal any wicked way in him that remained hidden.  I want you to come to me, because I alone have the ability to remove the scum that sticks to you because of sin.  There is a moment of pain, as I remove the thorns of stupid life actions.  You will hurt just a moment as I wipe the dirt out of that scuffle when you said such awful things.  My hug of love may reveal some back tension from the weight of unconfessed sin that you have been carrying.  But my closeness is necessary for me to unravel the sin that so easily entangles.

Come to me all of you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.  I want you close enough to me that you can see the reflection of yourself in my eyes.  For there you will see yourself as I see you…my beloved child.

Whispers from your Father, God