In the days leading up to the crucifixion of Christ, we see Him with His disciples. They broke bread, the drank the wine, the disciples themselves didn’t know all that was about to happen, but Jesus did. And He was thankful.
“Within hours of His betrayal, arrest, and trial, to be followed shortly by His crucifixion, Jesus observed the Passover feast with His disciples. The Jewish ceremony involve not just one, but multiple cups of ‘the fruit of the vine.’ When you combine and harmonize the Gospel accounts, it appears that Jesus paused at least three times during the Passover observance to give thanks.” Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth
Jesus knew He was about to die. He knew the cross that was ahead of Him. And He paused to give thanks.
“On a night when from a human perspective He had every reason to be self-absorbed and to give in to self-pity, resentment, or murmuring, He spoke words of thanks to His heavenly Father, words that flowed out of a thankful heart.
That is no small deal. This was not just an obligatory blessing offered up before a meal. The whole meal pictured the enormous sacrifice Jesus was about to make. In giving thanks for the cup and the bread, then in giving the symbolic elements to His disciples, Jesus was saying in effect, ‘Yes, Father, I willingly surrender Myself to Your calling for My life, whatever the cost.’ He gave Himself to God and to the world, not under coercion, but with abandon and…with gratitude, grateful for the privilege of obeying His Father and of fulfilling the mission He had been sent to earth to complete.” from Choosing Gratitude
I don’t know about you but when I consider the last days of Jesus, I am humbled that He chose to give thanks. I am humbled that He became sin for me and was grateful for it all. I am humbled and convicted to live my life in surrender and gratitude as well.
Cultivate
How does the life of Jesus inspire gratitude in your life? If you’ve read One Thousand Gifts and Choosing Gratitude, you have read these authors explanations of the word:
Eucharisteo
Do you know the meaning of this word? Have you fallen in love with this word like I have? Write this word in your journal and what it means to you.
Join our Facebook Group of Encouragement
If you’d like to discuss this series, encourage others and receive encouragement along the journey, come to our closed group of encouragement and join us! You will need to request to join, I will click on your profile and as long as you look like a real person {grin} I will accept your request to join us!
Thank you for this, it’s hard to remember during trials to have a greatful heart. I truly believe in all things even in sickness God has only what is best for us!
Wow! New perspective! It always amazes me how you can read the same passage all of your life and each time God can show you something new. I went back and reread the scriptures to get a clear picture of His thankfulness. The tiny phrase, He gave thanks, speaks volumes! I was reading scriptures, articles, blogs, etc on thankfulness as I worked on a Bible Study for my middle school aged girls and came across this blog. I will be incorporating the Passover scripture into our home school lesson on gratitude. Thank you for sharing God’s message.