Thankfulness is a recurring theme in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ, who consistently demonstrated gratitude to God the Father. His example serves as a model for believers, illustrating the importance of a thankful heart in the life of faith.

Instances of Thankfulness in Jesus' Life

1. Feeding of the Five Thousand: One of the most notable instances of Jesus expressing thankfulness is during the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Before distributing the loaves and fish, Jesus gave thanks to God. "Then Jesus took the loaves, and having given thanks, He distributed them to those who were seated, as much as they wanted" (John 6:11). This act of gratitude preceded a miraculous provision, highlighting the connection between thankfulness and divine blessing.

2. Raising of Lazarus: At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus expressed gratitude to the Father before performing the miracle of raising Lazarus from the dead. "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me" (John 11:41). This prayer of thanks underscores Jesus' relationship with the Father and His confidence in God's power and will.

3. The Last Supper: During the Last Supper, Jesus gave thanks as He instituted the Lord's Supper, a practice that would become central to Christian worship. "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, 'Take and eat; this is My body.' Then He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink from it, all of you'" (Matthew 26:26-27). Here, Jesus models thankfulness even in the face of impending suffering, teaching His followers to maintain gratitude in all circumstances.

4. Prayer and Thanksgiving: Jesus often withdrew to pray, and His prayers included elements of thanksgiving. In Matthew 11:25, Jesus says, "I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children" . This expression of praise and gratitude reflects Jesus' acknowledgment of God's wisdom and sovereignty.

Theological Implications

Jesus' example of thankfulness is not merely a demonstration of good manners but is deeply rooted in His relationship with the Father. His gratitude is an expression of trust, submission, and recognition of God's providence and goodness. For believers, Jesus' example teaches that thankfulness is an essential aspect of faith, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will and purposes.

Practical Application for Believers

Following Jesus' example, Christians are encouraged to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness in their daily lives. The Apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in his letters, urging believers to "give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). By emulating Jesus' example, believers can experience a deeper relationship with God and a more profound sense of peace and contentment, regardless of life's challenges.Matthew 11:25
At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hid these things from the wise and prudent, and have revealed them to babes.
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Matthew 26:27
And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink you all of it;
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John 11:41
Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank you that you have heard me.
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Jesus --"All Blessing and all Blest"
... any emotion which can give greater joy than that of thankfulness to the ... and our outward
appearance, may there be no lack of Jesus Christ, set forth among ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/jesusall blessing and all blest.htm

Acts iii. 1
... side his faith is shown, both by his thankfulness, and by the ... Him, "of Nazareth."
"In the name of Jesus Christ of ... As, for example: There are set in us, like so ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily viii acts iii 1.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... to the hope set before you in Christ Jesus our Lord ... that are suffering from it; and
let thankfulness for your ... great need to repent; great need to set an example ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

On the Feast of St Mary Magdalene
... We should turn towards the road that they take from real joy and thankfulness, and
we should be glad, beyond all ... Our dear Lord Jesus Christ set us an ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xv on the feast.htm

Li. Gratitude.
... all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks ... will find many and many a memorial
set up to ... portion above thy brethren." How do you show your thankfulness? ...
/.../baring-gould/the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/li gratitude.htm

The Lenten Fast.
... But as we think of these words of Jesus, "This kind ... are we that we should venture
to set ourselves against ... we are sure to recognise with thankfulness, when the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/xiii the lenten fast.htm

The First Disciples: iii. Philip
... to love Him and to turn to Him with reverent thankfulness. ... What right has Jesus Christ
to ask me to follow Him ... should I? Who is He that He should set Himself up ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/the first disciples iii philip.htm

Christ and Pilate: the True King and his Counterfeit
... for envy, his plain duty was to set the prisoner ... Jesus was nothing to them but a
prisoner whom they ... the knee but the heart, in endless love and thankfulness. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christ and pilate the true.htm

Book I.
... He made Him Jesus, Him, that is, Who received the name in ... he was convinced that the
payment of thankfulness to God ... proof of his fear of God, and set an example ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book i.htm

Preface to the Second and Third Editions.
... With the feelings of sincere thankfulness for the kindness with ... this has been again
and again set forth by ... so intensely, even unto death, as Jesus of Nazareth ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/preface to the second and.htm

What does the Bible say about thankfulness/gratitude? | GotQuestions.org

Why doesn't the Lord's Prayer include thanksgiving? shouldn't all our prayers include expressions of thankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about ingratitude/unthankfulness? | GotQuestions.org

Thankfulness: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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