Thanksgiving has arrived!  If you are like me, you are busy getting ready for the big day.   There will be lots of food, visiting family and friends,  football, pie and shopping on Friday (I need a new laptop!).   With all these activities, it is easy to forget that the whole purpose of the day is to give thanks to God for all he has done in our lives.  As Americans, we have a lot to be thankful even in these hard economic times.  Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ have the ultimate reason to be thankful.  Not just on Thanksgiving day, but every second of every day…

The movie “The Passion of The Christ”,  graphically portrayed the scourging and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  If you saw the movie, you know what I am talking about.  The scene that sticks with me, is when the religious leaders mock Jesus while he is hanging on the cross, saying “He saved others, but he can’t save himself!  He’s the King of Israel!  Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God.  Let God rescue him now if he wants him for he said, ‘I am the Son of God’”.  Matthew 27:42-43 NIV

My family and I watch this movie every Good Friday.  I have two streams of thought while watching the scene.  The first is anger.  Anger that my Lord was treated in the way he was.  The second thought is one of gratitude.  Gratitude that He allowed himself to go through everything he went through in his incarnation and crucifixion.  For by doing so, he paid the un-payable ransom for my rebellion against the King of the universe.  Jesus could have come down from that cross, and destroyed the entire world with one word, had He wanted to. I am grateful that he refused to do so.  The leaders had it all wrong.  It was by the crucifixion, that he would pave the way for others to be truly saved.

This year, as you gather around the table to share a meal with family and friends, find time to share the ultimate thing that YOU are thankful for:  Our sins have been forgiven.  Treasonous, rebellious, traitors such as you and I have been mercifully forgiven by a  holy God.

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”  2 Corinthians 9:15 NIV

Enjoy this  Sovereign Grace Song “Jesus, Thank You”  Follow the link.  See the lyrics below:

Jesus, Thank You

The mystery of the cross I cannot comprehend,
The agonies of Calvary.
You, the Perfect Holy One, crushed Your Son,
Drank the bitter cup reserved for me.

Your blood has washed away my sin,
Jesus, thank You.
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied,
Jesus, thank You.
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table,
Jesus, thank You.

By Your perfect sacrifice I’ve been brought near,
Your enemy made Your friend.
Pouring out the riches of Your glorious grace,
Your mercy and your kindness know no end.

Your blood has washed away my sin,
Jesus, thank You.
The Father’s wrath completely satisfied,
Jesus, thank You.
Once Your enemy, now seated at Your table,
Jesus, thank You.

Follow this link to get the official chord chart for this song FREE form Sovereign Grace Ministries.  If you don’t mind, please help us out by taking the poll below.