RR Revisiting Eucharisteo By David Harwood

Shavuah Tov,

The word charis (grace/favor) is right in the middle of the Greek word that expresses gratitude: euCHARISteo. It is the recognition of favor and the reciprocation of that favor. As Yeshua said, even sinners love (agape) those who love (agape) them, so also does charis provoke charis. And so, euCHARISteo has the nuance of the receiver of grace (charis/favor) expressing that the one showing favor is favored in return by the beneficiary of the one receiving charis (grace/favor). 

The Spanish word, gracias, captures this. I can’t imagine that there is anyone reading this who doesn’t know this, but, just in case, gracias means thanks. I’d like to help us connect with this. So, let’s do a little exercise in gratitude. (By the way, notice “gra” in GRAtitude. That, in itself, hints at GRAce.)

Before we begin, let’s remember Romans 1:21.

for even though they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God or give Him thanks (euCHARISteo). Instead, their thinking became futile, and their senseless hearts were made dark. (Romans 1:21) 

It seems to me that recovering our sanity as a culture may begin in giving thanks to God.

Okay, here’s our exercise ... Let’s go.

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes because He has provided for you?

Give Him thanks (euCHARISteo). Express your favor to the one who showed you favor. Say, “gracias.” Something like, “I favor You because You favored me!”

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for creating those you love?

Give Him thanks (euCHARISteo). Express your favor. Say, “gracias.”

How about this? 

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for making a way that your sins may be forgiven? (What an expression of favor!)

Express your favor to the one who has shown you saving favor. Something like, “I favor You because You have really favored me!”

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for the gift of His Son?

Give Him thanks (euCHARISteo). 

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for the gift of the Ruach ha-Kodesh?

Express your favor (charis/grace) to God. 

Has Father found favor in your eyes for adopting you?

Offer gratitude (euCHARISteo). Express your favor to the one who has shown you favor. Say, “gracias.”

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for His people?

Offer thanks (euCHARISteo). 

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for His remarkable promises?

Give Him thanks (euCHARISteo). Express your charis to the one who has shown you favor. Say, “gracias.”

Has the Lord found favor in your eyes for calling you to Himself, for a growing relationship with Him, for discipling you, for granting you enabling favor, for bringing you into covenant with Himself and His people, for each and every blessing...?

One might go on and on. This is inexhaustible.

Our example, Yeshua, expressed gratitude to Father.

Then Yeshua picked up the loaves. And having given thanks (euCHARISteo), He distributed bread to everyone who was reclining. He did the same with the fish, as much as they wanted. (John 6:11) 

So they rolled away the stone. Yeshua lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank (euCHARISteo) you that you have heard Me. (John 11:41) 

We’re called to a life marked by gratitude.

And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks (euCHARISteo) to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17) 

The point of this exercise is that charis, which means grace, or favor, is an emotion that is experienced in sincere gratitude (euCHARISteo). There is an emotional content to the grace (charis) we’ve received. The emotion of favor is in every manifestation of God’s charis. You have found favor in His eyes. When He sees you, He favors you.

Surely, He who has shown us grace (charis/favor) has found favor (charis/grace) in our eyes, too. Let’s express it, “Gracias!”

Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Sun26-Apr-20269th of Iyar, 5786 Day 24 of the Omer
Le 21:1-15 Isa 57Job 131 Jn 2       (Mt 13:31-58)