October 14, 2020 -- John 11:53-54 -- Strongly Supported

So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

Jesus therefore no longer walked openly among the Jews, but went from there to the region near the wilderness, to a town called Ephraim, and there he stayed with his disciples.

John 11:53-54 English Standard Version

Because Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, the leaders of the people wanted to put Jesus to death. Jesus was convincing more and more people of the truthfulness of His message. He was unmasking the schemes of the wicked. Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost. Those who are lost will be rebellious in heart. They will fight against Him until they die and are cast into the lake of fire, or they will fight against Him until the Spirit of God conquers their hearts and draws them from the kingdom of death and darkness to the kingdom of light, the kingdom of the Son.

Know this, Jesus was not running scared. He continued to carry out the will of His Father. There is an Old Testament passage that is so relevant:

“For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.” II Chronicles 16:9 ESV

Jesus received strong support from His Father in heaven all through His earthly ministry. The Spirit of the LORD was given to Jesus without measure so that He was strongly supported in all His work and ministry. Jesus knew He had come to be the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. He knew He would face suffering and hardship. He willingly endured so that the Father in heaven would receive the glory due His Name, the Son would be glorified in giving His life as a ransom for many and the Spirit would be glorified as the real and present strength of God given to all who believe.

Do you face trials today? Is your heart near busting with frustration, wounds, temptations, anguish and troubles? Know this: the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole whole to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward Him. Perhaps you are saying, that is exactly the problem—my heart is NOT blameless toward Him! Know this—Jesus Christ has come, He has died, He is risen. All who believe in Him have had their sins cleansed. I urge you, believe in Him and be counted as righteous—blameless because of His perfection. Believe on the Lord Jesus and know He has taken your sins and been punished for them and He has given you a blameless heart.

That is the reason believers rejoice and bless God. Believers know the former darkness and rebelliousness of their hearts and marvel, praising God for the Great Exchange—the sinfulness of their lives given in exchange for the perfections of Jesus! The treasure of a blameless heart results in the enthusiastic praise of Jesus’ Name! The Spirit of God gives strong support to those who seek Him and desire the perfections of Jesus. The Spirit is the Spirit of Power and this Spirit Who directed and blessed and kept Jesus throughout all the troubles of His life will direct you and bless you and keep you through the storms and trials of your life until you see Jesus face to face and you realize—these light and momentary troubles are forgotten because of the weight of glory which is an eternity in His presence!

Blessed are You, God the Father of Your people. Worthy of all praise and honour are You, King Jesus—triumphant over sin and death, the grave and hell. Blessed Spirit of Strength, renew the minds of all who believe and bring deep and confident hope to the hearts of all who believe in Jesus. Let believers rejoice in all Jesus has accomplished and faith for all that is being brought to bear in the believer’s life so that salvation will be fully accomplished unto the glory and praise, honour and blessing of Your Name—Triune and Radiant God! Amen.