A Dozen Wonderful Reasons to Be Thankful for Jesus
How well do you KNOW Jesus?
Some individuals seem to have a distorted view of Him. People who mold Him into who they want Him to be, not who He really is.
What does it mean when someone says they are thankful for Jesus?
As I read comments and articles, I realize there are some who want a warm, fuzzy Jesus who overlooks sin, helping them feel good about themselves.
Some want a table-turning legalistic Jesus, who helps them justify their self-righteous, angry outbursts, who agrees with their other-focused, judgmental attitude.
Some are looking for a Jesus who will make them happy and prosperous. And others want a Jesus who agrees with them politically.
Who is Jesus really?
Or more importantly…
Who is Jesus to you?
My heart longs to KNOW Jesus. Not who I want Him to be or think He should be, but who He is … God in human flesh, and the Savior I so desperately need.
I’ve had times when I’ve been guilty of making Jesus too small, making Him who I wanted or believed I needed at the time. The Lord and I have had several talks about it, and I’ve confessed and repented my self-absorbed foolishness.
I won’t understand Jesus perfectly this side of heaven.
I can’t comprehend the One who created everything, needs nothing, and loves everyone perfectly. It’s hard to imagine His willingness to carry the sin of the world to the cross, to rescue sinners from its death sentence consequence.
It’s hard to understand the all-powerful, all-knowing, and present everywhere God, who put on flesh … to save the people He created. He is “I AM” in a human body.
The more I learn about Jesus, the less qualified I feel to talk about Him. Yet telling people about my Lord and Savior is my greatest passion. So, although I stumble over my words, I will continue to share all that He has done in my life.
He is gracious and merciful. He has removed my fear and replaced it with courage, strength, peace, and contentment. He gives me hope, shows me love, and blesses me in countless ways.
So, I want to share some Biblical reasons we can be Thankful for Jesus…
A Dozen Biblical Reasons
to be Thankful for Jesus
Jesus is God and God is Love.
In the beginning the Word already existed.
John 1:1
The Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
God is love.
1 John 4:8b
Jesus showed us who God is.
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God.
Colossians 1:15
Jesus died for our sins.
For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Jesus freed us from works righteousness.
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
Galatians 5:1
Jesus hears our prayers and prays for us
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
1 Peter 3:12a
and His ears are open to their prayers.
Now Christ is sitting at God’s right side in heaven. He himself is praying to God on our behalf.
Romans 8:34 (EASY)
Jesus gives us strength.
The Lord is faithful; He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.
2 Thessalonians 3:3
Jesus is the Truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me.
John 14:6
Jesus is our peace.
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7
Jesus gives us victory.
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.
1. Corinthians 15:57
Jesus is preparing a place in heaven for us.
There are many rooms in my Father’s house; I would not tell you this if it were not true. I am going there to prepare a place for you.
John 14:2
Jesus will never leave us.
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:20
Jesus will return for all who KNOW, LOVE, and TRUST Him.
After I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me so that you may be where I am.
John 14:3
Let’s pray…
A Prayer – I am Thankful for Jesus
Father God, Your love is beyond our ability to comprehend fully. You gave us free will to love You, each other, and the world You created. But we are foolish and use that freedom selfishly.
Yet, You didn’t reject us and leave us in our sin, but sent Your Son, Jesus, to suffer our punishment and restore our relationship with You. And, You gave us Your written Word and the Holy Spirit for us to KNOW the TRUTH about Your love and our Savior. You gave us prayer to connect with You today, and Your promises to provide us with hope for the future.
I am so very thankful for Jesus! Thank you for forgiving my sins when I repent through faith in Him. Thank you for giving me victory over sin and death through Him. Thank you for hearing my prayers and for the Spirit who will never leave me or forsake me.
Thank you for giving me courage, strength, and peace today, and the promise of a place with You forever and always.
Father, words are easy to say. Please help me live my gratitude through worship, praise, and a loving attitude. Help me surrender myself through trust and obedience, and bless me with all that I need to love like my Lord and Savior, Jesus. In His name, I pray. Amen.
There are infinite reasons to be thankful for Jesus. So, grab your Bible and get to know Him better. Not just in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, but Genesis through Revelation. Jesus is found in every book through promises made and promises kept.
Whatever your reading plan … take time to know Jesus … not who you want Him to be or who other people say He is. Get to know Him through the power of the Spirit as you study God’s Word.
Because…
The more you get to know, the more you will be thankful for Jesus.
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
Never Miss an Update
Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…
Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…
Oh Deb, this is so true. We try to mold Jesus into who we want Him to be instead of learning who He truly is. Thank you for the reminder to stay in the Word and to seek Jesus throughout all Scripture.
Blessings, Cecilia
Thank you once again for your affirmation and encouragement. God be with you and bless you!
I love the prayer and especially the last paragraph in your prayer. I am so grateful for a loving, forgiving God! One who lights the path I must follow and loves me in spite of myself. I am like you, Deb, in that I can’t begin to imagine or know all there is to know about our sweet Jesus. I just know that I am so grateful for HIM and that I have HIM in my life and I want to know more about HIM.
God bless you sweet lady and many prayers for a wonderful and safe, healthy week for you.
I’m so glad it blessed you, Sue! Thanks as always for your words of encouragement. I love that the more I know about Jesus, the greater my desire to SEEK the TRUTH said bu Him and about Him in the Word. God be with you and bless you throughout the week ahead!
The more we know Jesus for who He really is, the more grateful we become. I want to know Him more and more each day! Blessings, Deb!
I agree, Martha! The more I know about Him the more I want to KNOW Him. We are so blessed that He wants us to KNOW Him, too. God’s blessings, my friend!