Mensa Otabil - The Man With a Testimony (10/23/2025)
John 12, verses 9 to 11. Now a great many of the Jews knew that he was there, and they came not for Jesus's sake only, but that they might also see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests plotted to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
Lazarus's presence at the table with Jesus was a magnificent and remarkable testimony. People couldn't get enough of him. This was a man who was dead, wrapped in grave clothes, buried in the tomb, four days dead, whom Jesus brought back to life. No one had seen such a thing happen, and so Lazarus was a testimony.
There were two kinds of people who were drawn to that testimony: first, those who came to see Jesus and Lazarus. There were those who had been inspired by the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. They had been inspired by the testimony of Lazarus; their faith in God was affirmed by what they had seen, and they trusted that probably something remarkable would also happen to them. Maybe not being raised from the dead, but the sick would be healed or something good would happen to them.
So these were people who came to see Jesus and Lazarus, which shows you the power of your testimony-that God can use what he has done in your life to draw people unto himself. That's the second group who came, and these are those who plotted against Jesus and Lazarus.
Isn't it amazing? Some are glad for Jesus and Lazarus; others are upset with Jesus and Lazarus. These are the chief priests and other people who hated Jesus and hated Lazarus, and on account of the testimony, they wanted Lazarus also dead. You know, that is life-you can't get a hundred percent of the people rooting for you. There will be people who like what God is doing in your life; when good things happen, they are happy for you, they are glad for you, they praise God for you. And then there are those who wish you dead, and that's what is happening here.
So in the story, we've seen different perspectives. We've seen Martha serving God with her cooking and her service at the table; Mary serving God with her fragrance and with her worship; Judas and his hypocrisy, rebuked, now turned into a betrayer, a traitor about to betray Jesus. And then now we find Lazarus, the man with a testimony.
I don't know which of these four you are, but by all means, don't be a Judas. I pray you'll be a Mary, you'll be a Martha, or you'll be a Lazarus, and may the Lord use your service, your devotion to him, and your testimony to draw many people to the Kingdom of God. This is how the stage is set for the triumphant entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, and we'll talk about that tomorrow.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, do something in my life and with my life that will draw souls to you. In Jesus' name, amen and amen. Well, I'll catch you again tomorrow for our Hosanna. I'm Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.