Thanksgiving, as an expression of gratitude and reverence, holds a significant place in Christian practice and theology. It is not only directed towards God the Father but is also explicitly offered to Jesus Christ, acknowledging His divine nature and redemptive work.

Biblical Basis for Thanksgiving to Christ

The New Testament provides several instances where thanksgiving is directed to Christ, affirming His role in the divine plan of salvation and His ongoing presence in the life of believers. The Apostle Paul, in his epistles, frequently emphasizes the importance of giving thanks to Christ.

In 1 Timothy 1:12, Paul expresses personal gratitude to Christ for the strength and calling he received: "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that He considered me faithful, appointing me to service." This verse highlights the recognition of Christ's active role in empowering and commissioning believers for His service.

Furthermore, in Colossians 3:17, Paul instructs the church: "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Here, thanksgiving is intricately linked with the name of Jesus, suggesting that all acts of gratitude are to be offered through and because of Him.

Theological Significance

Offering thanksgiving to Christ is rooted in the acknowledgment of His divine authority and His sacrificial work on the cross. As the mediator between God and humanity, Christ is the conduit through which believers experience grace and redemption. This mediatorial role is a central theme in the New Testament, underscoring the appropriateness of directing thanksgiving to Him.

In Revelation 5:12-13, the heavenly hosts proclaim the worthiness of the Lamb, saying, "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!" This doxology, which includes elements of thanksgiving, is directed to Christ, recognizing His unique position in the Godhead and His redemptive accomplishments.

Practical Application

In the life of the believer, offering thanksgiving to Christ is both a personal and communal act. It is personal in that each believer is called to recognize and respond to the work of Christ in their own life. It is communal as the body of Christ gathers to worship and give thanks collectively, acknowledging His lordship and grace.

The practice of thanksgiving to Christ can be incorporated into daily prayer, worship services, and the observance of the Lord's Supper. By doing so, believers align themselves with the biblical mandate to honor Christ with gratitude, recognizing His ongoing presence and work in their lives.

Conclusion

Thanksgiving to Christ is a vital aspect of Christian worship and devotion, reflecting a deep appreciation for His divine nature and redemptive work. Through scriptural exhortation and theological understanding, believers are encouraged to continually offer thanks to Christ, acknowledging His central role in their faith and salvation.1 Timothy 1:12
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Whether Since Christ's Passion the Legal Ceremonies Can be ...
... there seems no reason why these should have been ... if the latter had partaken of things
offered to idols ... to be rejected that is received with thanksgiving" (1:Tim ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether since christs passion the.htm

Christ's Strange Thanksgiving
... Well might He lift up His solemn thanksgiving to God ... hiding if we understand what
it is which is offered. ... loftier all its attributes, the nobler should be, may ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/christs strange thanksgiving.htm

Whether a Suitable Cause Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies which ...
... own sins, to signify that nothing sinful should remain in them ... was offered to God,
either in thanksgiving, or for ... of His charity, whereby He offered Himself to ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether a suitable cause can.htm

The victory
... it." He says, "Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay ... When the tempter offered to Christ
the kingdom and ... the world, he was proposing that Christ should yield up ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 13 the victory.htm

On the Sacrifice of the Mass
... to them by revelation that they should do so ... They offered one for sin, another in
thanksgiving for benefits ... manner in which the sacrifice is offered is different ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 24 on the sacrifice.htm

Fasting, and the Goat Sent Away, were Types of Christ.
... whom we ought for everything to render thanksgiving and praise. ... whosoever did not
keep the fast should be put ... established in Isaac when he was offered upon the ...
/.../barnabas/the epistle of barnabas /chapter vii fasting and the goat.htm

It is a Ground for Thanksgiving that During the Last Three or Four ...
... It is a ground for thanksgiving that during the last ... shall send them strong delusion
that they should believe the ... are aware none of them has offered a single ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/it is a ground for.htm

Three Good Reasons for Abstaining from Certain Kinds of Food.
... to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship ... if any man say unto you, This
is offered in sacrifice ... For if I be a partaker with thanksgiving, why am I ...
/.../chapter 14 name good reasons.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... in which He remained, were not things offered to the ... of God, with all submission
and thanksgiving I will ... sign of God's displeasure, then should we condemn the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ...
... Should any one here obtrude concise sentences of the ... But in that sacrifice there
is thanksgiving and commemoration ... the flesh of Christ which he offered for us ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 18 of the popish.htm

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