A Changed Mindset

We read in 2 Corinthians 9:8, And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: (KJV)

The word we are meditating is to have the attitude of ‘all sufficiency.’ Every human being has a different state of mind. There are some who have an attitude of dissatisfaction, and are unable to enjoy anything that comes their way. On the other hand there are those who have learnt to be content in all situations. Some people have minds that are filled with fear, and some others are extremely anxious about everything. We must ask God to give us this mindset that is content knowing that God is more than enough for every situation that comes our way. The way we look at any circumstance that comes our way is important, but we must remember that the way we perceive any situation is based on the way we think about the same.

We will study this incident that happened in a family during the days when Jesus was here on earth. As we look at each of the members of this family, we will be able to see the various mindsets that each of them had.

This is true in our families too, where each member of the family has a different attitude. So also in the church, which is God’s family the same will be evident.

As we take a closer look at each of the people who were present at this incident, we too will understand the kind of mindset we should have, and which ones we should avoid.

The people at the thanksgiving dinner

We read in John 12:1-2, “Six days before the Passover, Jesus went to Bethany, the home of Lazarus, the man he had raised from death. They prepared a dinner for him there, which Martha helped serve; Lazarus was one of those who were sitting at the table with Jesus.” (GNB)

1. Martha – a mind set on serving

The first person we will look at is Martha. In this family there was a man named Lazarus, and his two sisters Martha and Mary. Some time back Lazarus had died, was buried, but on the fourth day Jesus raised him back to life. This dinner was in honor of Jesus, and there were many guest who were invited to their house.

There is a record in Luke 10:38-42 of a previous time when Jesus visited the house of Mary and Martha, and even there we read that Martha was busy and distracted with preparing the meal and in serving Jesus. Mary on the other hand was seated at the feet of Jesus, and listened to His teaching. As Martha continued her preparations, she got frustrated with Mary, and complained to Jesus that she had to struggle alone while Mary sat unperturbed at Jesus feet. Martha hoped that Jesus would ask Mary to leave to help her in her work. This is a familiar situation in homes too where there is always a struggle between members of the family as to who should do the chores. However, Jesus cautioned Martha that while she was busy and bothered about the mundane, Mary had chosen the better part of sitting and listening at the feet of Jesus, which would not be taken away from her. Martha’s mindset was to be busy and serving whereas, Mary was content to spend time with Jesus and to listen to His words. Serving is important, but it is far more important to spend time at the feet of Jesus.

Martha was doing the exact same thing even in this incident. It seemed that serving was Martha’s mindset.

Interestingly, there are very few people today who have the mind to serve others. This is the case in the family, the church, at work or anywhere else. Have you observed how people will walk into church, will worship and walk away without a thought that there were people who were responsible for cleaning the place, setting up the systems, and keeping everything in order? We must sincerely ask God to give us a mind to serve.

We read in Matthew 20:27-28, and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave. That's the way it is with the Son of Man. He did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many people." (ISV)

These are day when many people want to be popular, want position, recognition and want others to serve them. However, the word of God reminds us that if anyone wants to be prominent, he must be willing to be a servant. This is God’s way, for He exalts those who serve others in humility. Jesus went on further to re-iterate that even He, the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve others, and to willingly lay down His life for mankind.