Read: Luke 22:19

Think: Jesus is thanking God for what is to come. It is the beginning of His “Passion” week-the week that lead up to the cross. Jesus knew the physical pain that would occur, the emotional disappointment, the spiritual battle and yet He still modeled the moment of gratefulness for us. He knew suffering was at hand.

The word thanks is from the greek word eucharisteo which is translated “grace” and also holds the derivative “joy”. Let’s go further, Jesus gave thanks knowing He would be rejected by his disciples, brutally broken for sinners like you and me but He still gave thanks for the grace and glory that would be in the future. That’s why we give thanks in the pain and amid tough circumstances- it’s about the grace and glory to come. Jesus makes eucharisteo (grace and joy) in every circumstance when we fix our eyes on Him. Because He faced the cross, we can face hardships and live with thanksgiving.

Application: Give thanks today when things don’t go the way you had planned- when you are cut off in traffic, when your kids are in a bad mood.

Pray: Jesus Remind me to have joy because my future is set because of you!