If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 1 John 4:15 (NIV)

Thank you Jesus for never mincing words concerning your identity. Clearly and decisively You proclaimed, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” John 14:6.

Thank you Jesus for making Yourself vulnerable. “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made (Yourself) nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, (You) humbled (Yourself) and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:6-8.

Thank you Jesus for “abundant life” (cf. John 10:10). You hold nothing back. You give us “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over” Luke 6:38. In You we have life – full, free, and flourishing.

Thank you Jesus for showing us the greatest love ever seen. You went to Hell and back to win us back.

Thank you Jesus for making room for our freedom. You’ve set us free from the entire burden of sin (cf. Romans 6:18). You gave Your life “as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45. Without You there would have been, and could have been, no forgiveness. In being the once for all sacrifice for sin You’ve delivered repentant sinners from the penalty of sin, the power of sin and the presence of sin.

Thank you Jesus for keeping the law we could never keep. What we could not do, You have done for us. You’ve written Your record to our credit. Your grace is sufficient. We’ve been justified by Your blood and saved from God’s wrath because of You (cf. Romans 5:9).

Thank you Jesus for being the wounded Healer. Your “power is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9. You have taken “up our infirmities . . . carried our sorrows . . . was pierced for our transgressions . . . crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon (You), and by (Your) wounds we are healed” Isaiah 53:4-5.

Thank you Jesus for Your compassion. We know that You weep with us so that we might one day laugh with You.

Thank you Jesus for the cross. It has bridged the gap between a holy God and a sin sick humanity. For in the cross we see that what Satan meant for evil, God meant for good. The most villainous crime has become our eternal hope!

Thank you Jesus for being a portrait of humanity. The Incarnation has revealed what the image of God should look like. You’ve unmasked our poverty. The exchange has been entirely one sided. By enacting what we should be You showed us who we were meant to be. Thus You’re not only a window to God but also a mirror reflecting Him.

Thank you Jesus, You are our Peace. Not the kind of peace that the world gives, but the peace in which our hearts don’t need to be troubled or afraid (cf. John 14:27).

Thank you Jesus for revealing a God who comes in search of us – for exposing a God who is love.

Thank you Jesus for being our companion. With You as our Friend we’re in illustrious company. We are never alone – You never leave us nor forsake us (cf. Hebrews 13:5). Your presence goes with us, You strengthen us, help us, and uphold us with Your “righteous right hand” Isaiah 41:10.

Thank you Jesus that no matter how acute the danger, no matter how severe the crisis, or how piercing the pain – You “provide a way out so that” we “can stand up under it” 1 Corinthians 10:13.

Thank you Jesus for holding the future in Your hands. Your power is our daily support. You guarantee tomorrow, no matter what may still confront us. You staked Your life on the tree so that we could be assured of eternity. As a result, the future holds more good for us than we could ever hope for. The best is yet to come.

Thank you Jesus for Your promise to come again. You will return. The hour is near. Thank you for the privilege we will have of standing in Your presence and seeing You at last.

And thank you Jesus for giving us a hope beyond the grave. You assure us that in Your Father’s house there are many mansions and room enough for each one of us! (cf. John 14:2). Which is why, along with Paul we can proclaim, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21.