Looking Up And Saying Thank You

Giving thanks is the will of God.
Matthew 14:13-21

Matthew 14:13-21
13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. 14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. 18 He said, Bring them hither to me. 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, and 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.

The CHALLENGE To Always Being Grateful

The first challenge to gratitude was emotional pain.

Matthew 14:13a
When Jesus heard of it

Matthew 14:9-11
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

Matthew 14:12
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Matthew 14:13b
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart

Matthew 14:15-18
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. 16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. 17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.  18 He said, Bring them hither to me.

Matthew 14:19
And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish AND LOOKING UP TO HEAVEN, HE GAVE THANKS and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses.

The CHOICE Jesus Made To Look Up And Say Thank You

Matthew 14:15
As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

Matthew 14:16
Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

The CONSEQUENCE Of Looking Up And Saying Thank You

Matthew 14:20a
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 14:20b
They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Matthew 14:21
The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

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