The words of Jesus
What Did Jesus Say About Thankfulness?
Jesus lived a life of thanksgiving, giving thanks to His Father openly, and He noticed when gratitude was missing. A thankful heart sees the Giver behind every gift.
“Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?”
Jesus, in Luke 17:17, King James Version
He grieves when mercy received goes unthanked.
“There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.”
Jesus, in Luke 17:18, King James Version
Gratitude turns a healing into worship.
“I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes.”
Jesus, in Matthew 11:25, King James Version
He thanks God even for hidden, humbling ways.
“Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.”
Jesus, in John 11:41, King James Version
He gives thanks before the answer is even seen.
What Jesus is really saying
Jesus modeled a gratitude that ran ahead of the results, thanking His Father in advance and in public. When ten were healed and only one returned, He felt the absence of thanks, not because He needed it, but because gratitude is what makes us whole. Thankfulness is the memory of a heart that has learned to see grace.
Who these words reveal Him to be
He lifts His own thanks to the Father openly, and He is the greatest gift for which we could ever give thanks. Jesus is God's kindness in person, the reason gratitude has an object. When one leper returned to thank Him, he was, in fact, worshipping God. He is the Lord behind every good gift and the Savior who is Himself the best gift of all. To thank Him truly is to have found Him.
Come to Him
Every good thing in your life is a gift, and behind every gift is a Giver who loves you. Come to Jesus with thanks, and let gratitude open your eyes to how near God has been all along.
His words were always meant to lead you to Himself. You can begin with Jesus here, ask someone to pray with you, or read His words in the Bible.