What Is Jesus Doing Now?

After Jesus rose from the grave, he appeared to the disciples and to hundreds of other people. Forty days later he took the disciples onto a mountain and told them, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Then Jesus ascended—went up to heaven—and sat down at God the Father’s right hand (Mark 16:19; Hebrews 10:12, 12:2; Revelation 3:21). Ever since, followers of Jesus have been spreading the gospel and following God’s Word.

But what is Jesus doing now?

Ruling

Because Jesus is God, he is sovereign, which means he knows everything and controls everything. Even before leaving earth, he told the disciples, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). That means that he’s stronger than anything that comes our way, and he doesn’t allow anything to happen to us that he does not know about (Ephesians 1:15–23; Hebrews 8:1–2; I Peter 3:12–14).

Caring

Jesus tells us that he cares even for the smallest sparrow and the lilies in the field—so imagine how much more he cares for you (Matthew 6:28)! Even from heaven, Jesus knows what we need and supplies those things. Paul said, “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory” (Philippians 4:19). In fact, Jesus promises that he can do above and beyond anything that we could ask for or even think of (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Interceding

Romans 8:34 says that Jesus intercedes for us. Intercede means to “go between.” Because Jesus knows our needs, desires, and temptations, he goes between us and God, carrying our prayers to the Father (Hebrews 4:15–16, 7:25, 9:24). When Jesus died on the Cross, he became the way that we as sinners could approach a holy God. That is why we pray in Jesus’ name.

Advocating

When we sin and ask forgiveness, Jesus reminds the Father of his work on the Cross (1 John 2:1–2). Even when Satan tries to accuse us of doing wrong, Jesus defends us and the Father forgives us when we ask him to (1 John 1:9).

Helping

Jesus helps us be more righteous by guiding our thoughts to love God and be patient with others (2 Thessalonians 3:5). Jesus also sent the Holy Spirit to live in believers to help us live holy lives (John 14:26–27). He is always willing to help us do right when we ask him.