Thankfulness is an important part of our lives, and Jesus showed us how to be grateful even in difficult times. Throughout the Bible, we see moments when Jesus expresses His thanks to God. These instances remind us of how we can appreciate the blessings in our lives, no matter what is happening around us.
Today, we will look at some Bible verses that highlight Jesus giving thanks. These verses not only teach us about gratitude but also help us understand the importance of acknowledging God’s goodness. Let’s learn how we can follow Jesus’ example and cultivate a thankful heart.
Bible Verses About Jesus Giving Thanks
Jesus Thanks in Prayer
When we reflect on Jesus’ prayers, we see a beautiful example of thankfulness. Jesus often took time to express gratitude in His prayers, giving thanks for the provision of His Father. Through Jesus’ prayers, we learn that gratitude is an essential part of our relationship with God. We can look to Him as our model, reminding us that every prayer should begin and end with thanks, acknowledging the blessings we have received.
Matthew 11:25
“At that time Jesus said, ‘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.'” – Matthew 11:25
In this moment, Jesus praises God for revealing His truths to those open to receiving them. It reminds us that faith does not always come from our intellect. Instead, we see that genuine thankfulness is found in humble hearts.
Luke 10:21
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘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. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.'” – Luke 10:21
This verse showcases Jesus’ joy and gratitude. He acknowledges God’s choices and acknowledges that true wisdom belongs to God. In being thankful, we connect with God’s heart.
John 11:41
“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me.'” – John 11:41
Here, Jesus expresses gratitude before performing the miracle of raising Lazarus. He demonstrates the importance of thanking God before miracles occur, fostering faith in God’s plans.
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.'” – Luke 22:19
During the Last Supper, Jesus gave thanks before breaking bread. This act models for us the importance of thanksgiving in sacrificial love and enables us to commune with God.
Matthew 26:27
“Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you.'” – Matthew 26:27
Once again, Jesus shows gratitude before sharing the cup with His disciples. His thankful heart teaches us to express gratitude before sharing blessings with others.
Jesus Thanks in Adversity
Even in challenging moments, Jesus expressed thanks. This teaches us that gratitude is not just reserved for good times. When faced with trials, we can still find reasons to be thankful, transforming our perspective. We realize that God is with us, strengthening us through difficulties, and we can find peace in knowing that every situation holds a purpose.
Matthew 27:46
“About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?’ (which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’).” – Matthew 27:46
In His moment of despair, Jesus still acknowledges God. This expression of distress also reflects a relationship with God where honesty and vulnerability are allowed, reminding us to trust God even in pain.
Philippians 4:6
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” – Philippians 4:6
The Apostle Paul encourages us to approach God with prayer and thanksgiving in times of worry. Jesus’ own life reflects this teaching, guiding us to find peace through thanks.
Luke 6:28
“Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.” – Luke 6:28
Jesus teaches us to respond to adversity with grace, essentially practicing thankfulness in tough situations by praying for others rather than retaliating. This creates a heart open to gratitude.
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44
Again, Jesus is showing us a radically different way to respond to challenges through love and prayer. By maintaining grateful hearts, we can focus on understanding rather than conflict.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Here, Jesus reassures us that troubles will arrive, but we can take heart through Him. Being grateful for Jesus’ victory provides us strength and confidence amidst fears.
Jesus Thanks for His Blessings
Recognizing the many blessings that God has given us is essential for cultivating a thankful heart. Jesus often expressed gratitude for the good gifts He received, and this motivates us to reflect on our own blessings. Understanding the abundance we possess can shift our focus from scarcity and ingratitude to a continual space of thankfulness and joy.
Luke 9:16
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.” – Luke 9:16
In this miracle of feeding the 5,000, Jesus demonstrates profound gratitude for the small amounts in front of Him. This act shows us how appreciation can lead to abundance in our lives.
John 6:11
“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
In this moment, we see Jesus grateful for what little He had and using it to bless others. When we thank God for our blessings, we discover that they multiply as we share them with others.
Matthew 14:19
“And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” – Matthew 14:19
Jesus blessed the food before distributing it. His gratitude sets an example for us to acknowledge God’s provision in all circumstances, big and small.
Mark 8:7
“They had a few small fish as well. He gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.” – Mark 8:7
Jesus models gratitude and sharing here once again. This act of giving thanks encourages us to appreciate even the smallest gifts and utilize them to bless others.
Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” – Colossians 3:17
This verse beautifully illustrates that all our actions should stem from gratitude for God’s blessings. Our daily tasks become opportunities to express thanks in everything we do.
Jesus Thanks Before Miracles
Jesus often gave thanks before performing miraculous acts. This serves as a powerful reminder that gratitude is a precursor to receiving God’s blessings. It encourages us to have faith that God will work in our lives, as we turn our hearts towards thanks. As we honor our connection with God, we open ourselves to the miraculous possibilities He has for us.
John 11:41-42
“So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.'” – John 11:41-42
Before raising Lazarus, Jesus expresses heartfelt gratitude. This teaches us that gratitude connects our faith and witness to those around us, highlighting the importance of shared miracles.
Matthew 15:36
“Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.” – Matthew 15:36
In this miracle, Jesus shows us how thanksgiving precedes His works. It assures us that acknowledgment of God creates opportunities for divine intervention.
Mark 6:41
“Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.” – Mark 6:41
Before feeding the multitude, Jesus thanks God. This act teaches us how gratitude can unleash great things from seemingly small beginnings. It inspires us to trust in hope.
Luke 10:21
“At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, ‘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.'” – Luke 10:21
With a joyful spirit, Jesus thanks God before miracles unfold. This moment encourages us to approach life with joy and gratitude, helping us recognize the divine at work among us.
Matthew 17:20
“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.'” – Matthew 17:20
Receiving blessings often requires faith. Jesus reminds us in this verse about the power of gratitude matched with even a little faith. In doing so, we can witness miracles on every level.
Jesus Thanks After Teaching
Thanksgiving is evident in the moments after Jesus teaches the people. He often looks up to God, giving thanks after imparting wisdom. After teaching, Jesus models the importance of expressing thanks to His Father, highlighting the importance of recognizing God’s role as our guide and counselor. It reminds us of the significance of acknowledging our teachings as gifts from God, shaping our lives with purpose.
Luke 19:37
“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen.” – Luke 19:37
Upon entering Jerusalem, Jesus receives praise. This thanksgiving teaches us to recognize and declare God’s goodness after learning important lessons, celebrating His faithfulness together.
Mark 11:9-10
“Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!'” – Mark 11:9-10
The crowd’s joyful shout is met with gratitude from Jesus. This moment urges us to celebrate the teachings of Christ, expressing thanks with jubilant praise for His messages in our lives.
Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” – Matthew 5:7
Here, Jesus encourages us to express thanks by showing mercy. Each blessed beatitude serves as a reminder of the kindness and blessings we can spread to others daily.
Matthew 6:34
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34
This teaching invites us to live in gratitude without worry. By appreciating the present, we maintain a thankful heart that resonates with God’s faithfulness today.
Luke 12:8
“I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God.” – Luke 12:8
Jesus expresses gratitude when we acknowledge Him, assuring us of our importance. Our public thanks for His teachings connects us to His eternal promise of acknowledgment.
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on these verses about Jesus giving thanks, we are reminded of the importance of gratitude in our lives. In every moment, whether in prayer, adversity, or abundance, we can cultivate a spirit of thankfulness. By following Jesus’ example, we learn how grateful hearts can transform our perspectives and deepen our relationship with God.
Thankfulness isn’t just a response to our circumstances; it is a posture of faith. When we take time to express gratitude, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from God. Let this be a reminder for us to practice gratitude daily, whether through prayer, our actions, or our words.
Finally, let us carry this message of thankfulness beyond our personal lives. Together, as we share our blessings and express our gratitude, we can inspire others to acknowledge the goodness of God. You can explore more uplifting topics like Jesus giving his life for us and Jesus and thanksgiving to see how these principles resonate throughout scripture.