COMMONWEALTH

From the sermon on the Fifth Sunday of Lent March 22, 2026 titled “Why We Testify”

Why do Christians share their faith? For many, the idea of testifying can feel intimidating or uncomfortable. Yet in John 11, the story of Jesus raising Lazarus gives us a clear and compelling answer. This passage is not just about a miracle—it is about who Jesus is and why those who encounter him cannot remain silent.

First, we testify because Jesus meets us in our brokenness. When Jesus arrives in Bethany, Lazarus has already been dead for four days. Martha meets him with a mixture of faith and disappointment, saying, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” Yet Jesus does not turn her away. Instead, he meets her in her grief and reveals himself as “the resurrection and the life.” This reminds us that Jesus does not wait for us to have everything together—he meets us in our pain, our questions, and our struggles. Our testimony begins here, in the personal ways we have experienced his presence in difficult seasons.

Second, we testify because Jesus is moved by our suffering. One of the most powerful moments in the passage is when Jesus weeps. Even knowing he is about to raise Lazarus, he enters into the grief of Mary and those around her. This shows us that God is not distant or indifferent. He sees our pain, feels our sorrow, and walks with us through it. When we share our testimony, we are not just talking about what Jesus has done—we are bearing witness to his compassion. In a world where many feel alone in their suffering, this truth offers real hope.

Third, we testify because Jesus reveals the glory of God. As Jesus approaches the tomb, he tells Martha that if she believes, she will see the glory of God. The miracle that follows is not only about restoring Lazarus to life but about pointing people to the power and identity of Jesus. In the same way, our testimonies are meant to direct attention to God, not to ourselves. Whether through answered prayer, sustained faith in hardship, or transformation over time, our lives can reflect glimpses of God’s glory to others.

Finally, we testify because Jesus brings life where there was death. When Jesus calls, “Lazarus, come out,” the impossible happens—a dead man walks out of the tomb. This moment is a picture of what Jesus does in every believer’s life. Apart from him, we are spiritually dead, but through his word, we are brought to life. Our testimony is, at its core, a story of resurrection. It is the story of how Jesus has changed us, freed us, and continues to transform us.

Taken together, these truths remind us that testifying is not about having all the right words or a dramatic story. It is about sharing what we have seen and experienced in Christ. Jesus meets us, cares for us, reveals God to us, and gives us life—and that is a message worth sharing.

There are people all around us who are searching for hope, wondering if their situation can change, or questioning whether God truly cares. Our testimony may be the very means God uses to help them see that he does.

So we testify—not out of obligation, but out of gratitude. Because we have seen the power of Christ, and we want others to know the life he offers.