Bible Study

Title: Thankful for Your Savior
Date: Jun 21, 2011
Topic(s): Jesus, Salvation, Thankfulness
Scripture: Luke 2:38, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 2:29-32, John 3:16, Luke 1:46-47

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When was the last time you thanked Jesus for being your Savior? Is it a daily practice? Or is it something you did only when you were first saved? The fact that God has given you the precious gift of His Son, Jesus, who died for your sins and made it possible for you to have peace with God and eternal life...well, that's worth a "Thank You!

What Does God Say?

The Bible records a number of people who praised God for the gift of the Savior. Mary started it. When she was told her son would be the Savior of all mankind, she turned to praise:

"My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior" (Luke 1:46-47, ESV).

Zechariah starts his song with,

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David (Luke 1:68-69).

And he then goes on through verse 79 to recount the great promises of God's salvation.

Simeon and Anna were two elderly people who'd devoted their lives to God and who had spent years praying for the promised Savior to come. When each met the baby Jesus, his or her heart overflowed in gratitude. Simeon said,

"Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace,
as you have promised.
I have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared for all people.
He is a light to reveal God to the nations,
and he is the glory of your people Israel!" (Luke 2:29-32, NLT).

And while Anna's specific words are not recorded for us, "she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38, ESV).

My Thoughts

Having a Savior is definitely a matter for thanksgiving. God didn't have to do this for us--He didn't have to give us a Savior, the forgiveness of sins, fellowship with Him and eternity in His presence. But He did, even though it meant sacrificing His own Son. We can't really imagine what that cost God, but we can thank Him for it.

John 3:16 is so familiar we just rattle it off. Take a couple minutes right now to read it again. Read it a second time in a different translation or paraphrase (If you don't have one available, go to www.biblegateway.com and select a translation from the numerous options there.) Then answer these questions:

• Who does God love?
• What did this love cost God? (You may want to respond to this question by drawing a picture. Give your picture an appropriate title.)
• What is the purpose of this love?

My Part

Now, how will you apply this? Let's make it really easy. Just do it--just take a moment or two as you go through your day to say thank you to God for the gift of Jesus your Savior. Borrow a Bible verse of praise, maybe one from this study, if you need it.

Look for another opportunity tomorrow and the day after that. When you feel like you've blown it in some area, be thankful again that you have a Savior who took care of that sin and forgives you. Before long, you'll make gratitude a daily, positive habit.

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