Jesus Gave Thanks

Read:

Luke 22:19, "And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”"

Think:

Jesus is thanking God for what is to come. It is the beginning of His “Passion” week — the week that led up to His crucifixion. Jesus knew the physical pain, emotional disappointment, and spiritual battle He was about to endure, yet He still modeled this moment of gratefulness for us.

The word “thanks” is from the greek word eucharisteo which is translated “grace” and also holds the derivative “joy.” Let’s go further. Jesus knew He would be rejected by His disciples and brutally broken for sinners like you and me. But He still gave thanks for the grace and glory that would be in the future.

That’s why we give thanks in the pain and amid tough circumstances — it’s about the grace and glory to come. Jesus makes eucharisteo (grace and joy) in every circumstance when we fix our eyes on Him. Because He faced the cross, we can face hardships and live with thanksgiving.

Act:

Give thanks today when things don’t go the way you had planned — when you are cut off in traffic, when your kids are in a bad mood, when plans fall apart.

Pray:

Jesus, remind me to have joy because my future is set because of You! Amen.