The Opportunity
When I read a passage of Scripture and the Holy Spirit applies it to my life, it sinks deep into my soul, satisfying as little else can. I feel as if I am sitting at Jesus’ feet like Mary did in Luke 10:39, learning from Him first-hand. He is revealing Himself to me one truth at a time.
While reading through the book of Mark, I came to the familiar passage about Jesus feeding the five thousand in Mark 6:30-44 . I have read this many times before so it wasn’t new to me, but that is what is so exciting about studying the Bible. No matter how many times a person reads it, God continues teaching and revealing greater depths of truth/insight progressively.
How that encourages me to keep diving in for more!
Yesterday, while enjoying a sunny day along the river, it was easy to be inspired as I read about Jesus’ miracle in this passage. At first glance, it seemed odd that Jesus was “giving thanks” in verse 41. That is because the reality of the situation was glaringly obvious with the need being great, while the supply so little compared to it. Jesus did not give thanks AFTER the supply had been multiplied and the need met.
He gave thanks BEFORE!
The Lesson
This insight begs further investigation.
Why would He be thankful while still in need, and with no prospect on the horizon for the needed resources?
That did not make sense to me. But I kept digging and asking God for clarity anyway. I had a sneaky suspicion He had a lesson for me to learn. This would just happen to apply to a current circumstance in my life.
4 lessons learned from Jesus
As I studied, four lessons emerged about what is involved in giving thanks and how it benefits our faith. Jesus teaches us here that giving thanks requires recognition of the Giver. It says in verse 41 that He looked up to heaven and then gave thanks. He exemplifies for us the first step in thanksgiving; recognizing to whom we are grateful and owe everything.
This reminds me of one of my favorite Bible verses. Romans 11:36 says, ” For from Him, and through Him, and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.” Remembering this always benefits our faith as it reminds us of what our perspective should continually be. God! First and foremost! It is too easy to make more of His gifts than of Him if we are not careful. Therefore, this is a great reminder of Jesus to help focus our attention on what is most important.
Next, rejoicing in the sufficiency is seen as Jesus takes what He has, even though it does not seem enough by any stretch of the imagination, and gives thanks. This lesson is rooted in the sufficiency of the Giver more than the amount of the provision seen or potentially available. We see the Son rejoicing in the care and attention of an Almighty Father who loves without limits. He is the supplier of all our needs, from the greatest to the smallest. No detail is lost on Him. Jesus took what little He had and knew it was enough because God is trustworthy, more than ample to provide. We see 2 Corinthians 12:9 explaining the Lord’s strength is made perfect in our weakness.
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Because of this confidence in the Father, He is responding in faith as He seeks to serve the crowd the food they are needing. He steps forward in ministry, trusting God to provide what is needed for His supply. He does not wait for the miracle BEFORE he seeks to serve. The act of giving thanks IS an exercise of faith. It requires our dependence on the Lord as we look to Him to provide what we need as we walk out our beliefs in His Name. Serving others demonstrates faith pure and simple.
Lastly, Jesus giving thanks teaches us about relinquishing responsibility. When we give thanks, we are committing ourselves to a greater Authority which gives us freedom and rest. We are His responsibility. Matthew 6:25-33 teaches us about God knowing our needs, how He is responsible for them as we seek first His kingdom and righteousness. We are looking for Him to meet these needs because He is our Abba Father.
Giving thanks becomes an act of faith even as we are in need of “more” in our circumstances. We need not be afraid to recognize the abundance in our life of faith while we hold out hope for what has yet to come.
In all things, give thanks!
Leslie says
Gretchen, thank you for this. These are valuable insights that really spoke to me this morning! Relinquishing responsibility is such a breath of fresh air and takes the weight off of our shoulders. We take on so much sometimes that really shouldn’t be ours to bear. I really appreciate your words and insights here!
Gretchen Fleming says
So grateful for your visit Leslie! I am prone to that very thing of being over-responsible so I can sure relate. One of my best blessings is unlearning this habit. lol
Karen Friday says
Love this post, Gretchen. Every one of your lessons are powerful for modeling Jesus in thankfulness. And this is one of my favorite lines, “…rooted in the sufficiency of the Giver more than the amount of the provision seen or potentially available.” Amen and Amen. Blessings!
Gretchen Fleming says
Always takes me such effort to focus on the unseen over the seen. He keeps blessing me with His fullness when I do though so I keep seeking growth in this area. Thanks for stopping by Karen! Wishing you a great day!
Betsy de Cruz says
I enjoyed reading your perspective here. For years, since I read 1000 Gifts, this story has impacted me, and just last week I read the Mark version. I also like that, as you say, Jesus stepped out in faith. He put what He had to work by dividing and distributing it. So much to learn here.
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Betsy! Love that about the Word. Never get to the end, always more to be mined. lol Hope you have a great day and thanks for stopping by.
Lisa Appelo says
This story is rich for so many reasons. It’s such a good reminder and example to us to thank God before we ever see Him answer. Taking that with me today!
Gretchen Fleming says
Amen Lisa! Happy Thanksgiving my friend!
KellyRBaker says
Gretchen, I love these four nuggets you pulled from Jesus’ example. Sharing your post!
Gretchen Fleming says
So grateful for it Kelly! Happy Thanksgiving!
heather says
So funny because this has been on my heart for awhile too – about Jesus giving thanks before finishing His prayer and before getting the answer. And I had intended to write a post on it, too. But you said what I was thinking so eloquently that I don’t think I have to write it anymore. Just so nice to see these same thoughts out there. God bless you!
Gretchen Fleming says
Don’t you love the universal lessons He teaches! Thanks so much for visiting with me and happy Thanksgiving!
Sarah Koontz says
I just loved reading this, Gretchen. Such wisdom and beautiful truth pulled from the life of Jesus – our ultimate example.
Gretchen Fleming says
Thank you Sarah! Blessings to you this holiday!
Rebecca L Jones says
I always read something new and different, it never gets old.
Gretchen Fleming says
Absolutely Rebecca! Happy Thanksgiving friend!
Karen Woodall says
Philippians say “God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory.” It occurred to me some time ago that perhaps instead of praying for ‘needs’ to be met, we ought to rest in what has already been provided. Thanks for your post to remind me to rejoice in the sufficiency… mainly of Christ who always gives us Himself… which is perfect to meet our need!
Gretchen Fleming says
Isn’t He though?! That is what I am learning more and more! Thanks for stopping by!
bethany mcilrath says
4 very helpful “R”s. Thank you for sharing in the excitement of learning more from the Lord through a familiar story!
Gretchen Fleming says
Gladly! Happy Thanksgiving!
misty says
Hi! Gretchen,
We have so much to be grateful for! Thank you for pointing us to Jesus and sharing with us 4 lessons about giving thanks!
Blessings, Misty
Gretchen Fleming says
Thanks for visiting with me Misty!
Debbie Putman says
You share valuable lessons here. Thank you!
Gretchen Fleming says
My pleasure Debbie! Happy Thanksgiving