‘Jesus – His Witness’: A Sermon by Pastor Mensa Otabil

Introduction

The identity and mission of Jesus Christ have been central to Christian faith for over two millennia. In his sermon titled Jesus (5): His Witness, Pastor Mensa Otabil delves into John 1:6-8 to highlight the role of John the Baptist as the key witness of Jesus. 

Pastor Otabil explains that John’s Gospel shifts its focus from Jesus to John the Baptist, emphasizing the necessity of a witness to confirm the truth about Jesus’ identity.

This message underscores the importance of witnessing in the Christian faith and how John the Baptist’s role was divinely appointed to testify about Jesus, the Light of the world.

The Importance of Witnesses in Jewish Culture

Pastor Otabil highlights the significance of witnesses in Jewish tradition. He states, “In the Jewish society, everything requires a witness… Words were established by witness.” 

He references Deuteronomy 19:15: “By the mouth of two or three witnesses, the matter shall be established.” 

In this cultural context, Jesus’ identity needed validation beyond His own claims. John the Baptist, therefore, served as a crucial witness to confirm that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah.

Who Is the Witness?

John 1:6 states, “There was a man sent from God whose name was John.” Pastor Otabil clarifies that this refers to John the Baptist, not John the Apostle, the writer of the Gospel. 

He points out that while Jesus is eternal, John came into existence at a specific time: “Whereas Jesus is, John comes into existence. Their origins are not the same.” John was a human sent by God with a divine purpose: to bear witness to Jesus.

John’s miraculous birth, announced by the angel Gabriel, further highlights his significance. “Although nobody in your family is called John, this guy is going to be called John,” Pastor Otabil notes, emphasizing that even John’s name was divinely chosen. 

However, despite the supernatural elements surrounding his birth, John was not on the same level as Jesus. Pastor Otabil explains, “John is a man; Jesus is the Word… John had to constantly deny that he is not it.”

The Mission of the Witness

John’s purpose was clearly defined in John 1:7: “This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe.” 

Pastor Otabil stresses that John was not the Light but was sent to point people toward Jesus. He was born for this specific mission. “John was born particularly for this purpose—to be a witness,” Pastor Otabil states.

John’s role is also instructive for all Christians. Like John, believers are called to be witnesses of Christ in their daily lives. Pastor Otabil encourages Christians to follow John’s example by testifying about Jesus and pointing others to Him.

Conclusion

Pastor Mensa Otabil’s sermon on Jesus: His Witness sheds light on the crucial role of John the Baptist in confirming Jesus’ identity. John was divinely sent to prepare the way for Jesus and testify about Him. 

This sermon also reminds believers of their calling to be witnesses of Christ in their own spheres of influence. 

As Pastor Otabil puts it, “John is the ultimate witness, but all of us who have come to know Jesus are also called to be His witnesses.”