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.
Martha teaches us that we need to have an attitude to serve others joyfully. Generally, people look down on Martha for being too busy and serving, but in this incident we read that Jesus did not in any way disapprove of what she did.
2. Lazarus – a mind set on being a witness
Lazarus had died, and Jesus raised him from the dead. The huge crowds that gathered were curious to see who Lazarus was and how he looked. A dead man had come to life, and this miracle astounded many.
There are a group of people like Lazarus whose lives have been so transformed that people are drawn to Jesus because of them. When Jesus transforms people who are dead in sin to become alive in Christ, most certainly many will be drawn to Christ. That’s what our testimony should be too that when we received the salvation that Jesus offers, our lives have been so changed that people come seeking after the Lord Jesus who brought about this change.
We read in 3 John 1:12, Demetrius has received a good report from everyone, including the truth itself. We, too, can testify to this report, and you know that our testimony is true. (ISV)
The bible talks about a man named Demetrius, who had such a good testimony among everyone including the truth itself.
This should be our prayer too, that the change that God brings about in our lives should be so real, in our thought, word and deed, so that people come to know that Jesus is the true and living God.
Lazarus was content to be with Jesus, and as he did so many came to Jesus.
3. Mary – a mind set on honoring Jesus
We read in John 12:3, Mary took a pound of very expensive perfume made of pure nard and anointed Jesus' feet. She wiped his feet with her hair, and the house became filled with the fragrance of the perfume. (CEV)
Mary must have pondered much as to what she could do for Jesus. She had received so much from Jesus that she wanted to offer Him the thing that was most precious to her. We read that Mary brought a very expensive perfume to anoint the feet of Jesus. This was Mary’s way of saying that the thing that everyone considered priceless was according to her fit to be poured on Jesus’ feet. Bible researchers claim that this pure nard was worth a year’s wage.
As Mary poured the expensive perfume at the feet of Jesus, the entire house was filled with its fragrance. Everyone must have been so busy, and things must have been very hectic, but in the midst of it this act of Mary turned everyone’s attention to Jesus. Mary wiped the feet of Jesus with her hair. The bible tells us that the glory of a woman is her hair, and by wiping Jesus’ feet with her hair, Mary made it clear that the Lord Jesus alone was worthy of all the honor and glory. Mary had a mindset that was full and overflowing with gratitude, and her only intention was to be at Jesus feet, and pour out her treasured possession at His feet.
If we had something valuable we will usually keep it safe, and away from people. We must ask ourselves, what are the things that we are doing that is drawing people to Jesus, and in order to are we willing to pay the price as Mary did?
The next two people we are looking at represent the two groups of people that will also be found everywhere.
4. Judas Iscariot - a mind set on money
We read in John 12:4-5, A disciple named Judas Iscariot was there. He was the one who was going to betray Jesus, and he asked, "Why wasn't this perfume sold for three hundred silver coins and the money given to the poor?" (ISV)
In this group of people who were close to Jesus, there was Judas Iscariot whose mind was set only on money. Here was a man who was one of Jesus’ close disciples, one who had heard all the teachings of Jesus, who had seen Jesus in prayer, had experienced all of the miracles He performed, and in spite of being at such close proximity to Jesus, Judas Iscariot had his mind set on money.
Judas was so obsessed with money that he could not appreciate the beautiful act and sacrifice of Mary as she poured that expensive perfume at the feet of Jesus, but rather counted the cost. His greed took hold of him as he wondered as to what could have been done if the perfume had been sold, and the money would have come into his hands.
There are many people who are obsessed with money, and the sad thing is sometimes their eyes are on other people’s money, wanting to covet what’s not theirs. If we keep seeking after our own personal gain, want prominence, and want to do things for our own benefit, we must ask God to change us. The bible clearly says that in the last days people will be lovers of money, and we are cautioned about this. Money is essential for life, and is necessary to meet our needs, but we must keep in mind that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
5. The Religious Leaders – a mind set on doing evil
We read in John 12:10-11, So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus. He was the reason that many of the Jewish people were turning from them and putting their faith in Jesus. (CEV)
The Chief Priests noticed that the crowds were thronging Jesus, and especially after they heard that Lazarus had been raised from the dead. Instead of rejoicing over this, these religious leaders made plans to even have Lazarus killed. Their mindset was a selfish one that wanted everyone’s attention to be on them only. They could not bear the thought that the multitudes heard the teachings of Jesus, and were becoming clear-minded, and were flocking to Jesus. The chief priests were so jealous and angry that they wanted to put an end to this. Amongst their many plans was their plot to kill Lazarus as well. This was a most pitiable mindset.
There are many people who would not hesitate to kill someone else, but are restrained from doing so simply because of their fear for the cops and the law. These are those who may not commit murder, but freely slander others, and spread false allegations about them.
It is good for us to take a check on our own lives to see if we have a mind to serve like Martha did, or to be a witness through our lives like Lazarus was, or be those who are willing to lay our treasured possessions at Jesus’ feet like Mary, or if we like Judas Iscariot have our mind set on money or if like the religious leaders in Jesus’ day, are self-seeking, and are concerned solely about ourselves. Let us choose to set our lives in order, and ask the Lord to give us that beautiful mind set that Mary had, to have the all sufficiency of knowing that we have a God who loves us, heals us, fights for us, and that He will lead us till the very end.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
