give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you–1 Thessalonians 5:18
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
You know what’s really strange? In the greatest prayer ever prayed, the Lord’s Prayer, there is no mention at all of giving thanks to God the Father. And not only this, but there is no recorded command in the Gospels coming from the lips of our Beloved Savior regarding the giving of thanks!
What makes this even more perplexing is the fact that in the Epistles of Paul (not to even mention the numerous Old Testament references!) there are no less than seven direct commands to give thanks! In addition to the verse quoted above, we could add Colossians 3:17– And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
So how do we explain this very odd fact, that Jesus and Paul seemingly were ‘not on the same page’ in regard to this matter of giving thanks to God? And why would our Lord leave out this most essential element of all God-honoring prayer, especially when He explicitly addressed the subject and provided a timeless example for all our praying?
As we probe the Four Gospels, we encounter only four occasions when Jesus gave thanks to the Father, at least in public.
First, there was the giving of thanks when He fed the crowds the loaves and fishes: he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds(Matthew 15:36. See also Mark 8:6 and John 6:11, 23).
Secondly, Jesus gave thanks at the tomb of His dear friend Lazarus: So they took away the stone. And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me”(John 11:41).
Third, in Matthew 11 we read that, Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will”(11:25-26. See also Luke 10:21).
Finally, He gave thanks to the Father during the Last Supper: And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you” (Matthew 26:27. See also Mark 14:23 and Luke 22:17, 19).
So again we ask, why the disparity? Why was Paul (and the Old Testament) so concerned about believers like us giving thanks to the Father, while Jesus seems to have been less passionate about it, even to the point of never teaching nor commanding it?
Well, first it is clear that Jesus practiced thanksgiving throughout His earthly life. And we can say this with a high degree of confidence because we see Him doing just this at some of the most strategic moments of His ministry.
The miraculous feeding of the crowds identified Him as the “ bread of life,” powerfully foreshadowed in the Exodus story by the divine provision of manna for the Israelites in the wilderness. At the tomb of Lazarus Jesus would reveal that He alone has power over life, death, and the grave. As He taught the multitudes with an authority they had never before experienced, He engaged in thanksgiving. And then, at the end of His ministry, He gave thanks at the Last Supper where the Disciples were given the sign and seal of His saving grace in the bread and wine of Communion. And in between these few recorded examples, we can be assured that our Lord’s daily life and specific times of praying were saturated with thanksgiving!
So it seems that our Lord taught us to give thanks by means of His perfect example! And under the direction of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle Paul turned our Lord’s beautiful example into a solemn obligation for all who would follow after the Savior. In fact, we might even say that, after Pentecost, it would be just such a persistent attitude of thanksgiving that would distinctly characterize His Church in the ages to come!
So what happens when we are faithful to give thanks in all things as commanded?
We could easily list several benefits that really need no further elaboration:
- Our eyes are lifted upward (away from self and the world) in humble adoration of our Eternal Father who reigns over all, and whose glorification is the ultimate goal of all things.
- The Name of our Savior and Lord is exalted as we honor His majesty and Sovereign authority.
- Our needs, anxieties, fears, and even our afflictions, are diminished in light of our Father’s love and faithful provision for us.
- Our hearts are filled with a renewed sense of hope, even in our most desperate and needy moments.
- The ‘Good News’ of salvation in Christ alone is set out before the watching world with integrity and Spirit-born power.
- We are unified as His people, the Bride of Christ, as we stand together in gratitude for such a great salvation, and for all of the eternal, imperishable riches we share in our Beloved Lord!
On this Monday, Thanksgiving Day is just around the corner. And yet, for those of us who have met the Savior, who have tasted of His mercy and grace, and have been given the gift of eternal life, every day of the week is ‘Thanksgiving Day’!
Let us follow our Lord’s example. Let us heed the exhortations in Scripture. And may His name always be praised among us!
I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever (Psalm 86:12)
I love you all!
Mike