It’s Thanksgiving week! When searching for verses regarding thanks, we typically turn to the book of Psalms. David and others wrote beautiful songs of thanksgiving to God. (For examples, see Psalms 100, 103, 136, and 95:1-7.)

In the gospels, we find those who had been healed (or their parents) thanking Jesus for their miracle.

But can we also find instances where Jesus gave thanks? Here are a few I found:

• Jesus readies to feed the crowd of 5000 men, plus women and children. “Then [Jesus] 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).

I love that Jesus gave thanks before the food was multiplied. We can also be thankful for the little things, expecting God to do something great!

• In the midst of Jesus’ teachings, He prayed, “Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. You’ve concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people” (Matthew 11:25 MSG).

Religious leaders were blinded and stuck in their traditions while the uneducated and regular folk believed through faith. Today, may Jesus’ faithful followers be thankful for the understanding God has provided.

• Just before Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, He “looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me” (John 11:41 NIV).

Again, it is interesting to note that Jesus gives thanks before the miracle. And God always heard His Son’s prayers just like He hears ours.

It’s eye-opening to see Jesus giving thanks to His Father for whatever God was doing throughout His day. What a great example to follow!