THE MYSTERY OF THANKSGIVINGS IN THE LIFE OF JESUS

Jesus knew all the secrets and still holds all the secrets of power.  He said that all the powers in heaven and on earth have been given unto him.  He usually prayed in secret, and he knew how to utilize the power of prayer.  However, most of the time when he needed to set someone free from a problem, he did not pray, but he did some other things.  He knew that the power has been made available already, and he merely activated it through thanksgiving.

Thus in Matthew Chapter 14, verses 15 to 21, we are told the story of how Jesus went into a desert place, and there came unto him a multitude of people.   He had compassion and healed them.  Then, the evening time approached, and his disciples urged him to send the people away and he refused, but told them to feed the people instead.  They were astonished because there were at least five thousand men, apart from women and children there.   There was no way they were going to be able to buy enough food to feed all the people, so they protested to the Lord.

The Master who knows the secrets of power and multiplication asked them to give him what they had which they said were but five loaves and two fishes.  In verses 19 and 20 we read:

19" And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude".

20 "And they did all eat, and were filled; and they took up of the fragments that remained, twelve baskets full.

It is important to know or to note that this same important event was equally recorded in John Chapter 6 verses 11 and 34.  There in John Chapter 6 verse 11 – "And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise the fishes as much as they would". 

Thus in the portion of scripture in the Book of John that talks about this event, we can see that Jesus gave thanks when he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and blessed the bread and fishes.  This produced the desired miracle of multiplication.

Another but similar event was recorded again in the book of Matthew and other synoptic gospels.  In chapter 15 of Matthew beginning from verses 30 to 39 we read the story of Jesus and another multitude in the wilderness.  They had brought to him people that were maimed, blind, dumb, lame and others and cast them down at his feet and he healed them.  Obviously because of the many wonders he performed, they stayed with him and could not go away.  They ended up fasting for 3 days and his disciples because of their human knowledge and sense knowledge, in spite of all the wonders he had done, did not think that these people could be fed.  But Jesus knows better, thus we read in verse 34 of Matthew 15:

34: "And Jesus saith unto them, how many loaves have ye?' And they said, 'seven, and a few little fishes".

35 "And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground".

36 “And he took the seven, loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and break them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude".

37 "And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children".

Thus Jesus astonished his disciples again by performing the same feat again.  However notice that each time he desired this miracle of multiplication, he gave thanks.  There were other instances in the scripture where Jesus performed miracles after he had given thanks and not after he had said a lot of earth shaking prayer.  As a matter of fact, the ability to give thanks for what you are expecting from God, instead of prayer, takes a higher level of faith.

Thus in the book of John Chapter 11, again we see Jesus put that mystery to work.  They informed him that his friend – Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha was sick, but he stayed back where he was until Lazarus died.  Then he decided to go and visit, I am sure you know the story or can read it up in John Chapter 11.  However, I'll like you to pay attention to John Chapter 11:41-44.

41 " Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid.  And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father I thank thee that thou hast heard me".

42 "And I know that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou has sent me".

Dr Chidi Peters will utilize every form of technology to preach the gospel,especially now that the Marvelous
Light International Ministries will be commencing operations fully at least with what our faith can produce, and what
God makes available by His grace!

43 " And when he had thus spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth".

44 "And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave cloths: and his face was bound about with a napkin.  Jesus saith unto them, loose him and let him go".

Note that this man had been dead for four days before Jesus came and must have been surely decomposing by then.  However the force of faith transformed the situation and he came out brand new like a new born child.

Lastly, Jesus said, 'He that is faithful in little is faithful in much'. In other words, it takes a thankful heart that is full of gratitude to receive more from God.  That is the principle.