Have you ever wondered what Jesus is doing at this very moment? Scripture doesn’t give us all the details but we can glean some basics.
Jesus is sitting
Your first thought might be, “Well, after his busy earthly ministry, he deserves a good rest!”
But the key here is to ask, “Where is he sitting?”. These verses tell us…
“So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)
“After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.” (Hebrews 1:3)
These passages (and others) make it clear that Jesus (God’s Son) is occupying a position of great authority and power in heaven with his Father. This is where he lived in eternity past before coming to our earth for a 33-year period. And this is where he lives (and will live) in the eternal future.
Jesus is standing
If “sitting” is a symbolic term referring to his position of power, what does “standing” mean?
The apostle John saw this in his vision – “And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing…” (Revelation 5:6a) Luke describes what Stephen experienced as he was being martyred for his faith. He wrote, “But he (Stephen), full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God…” (Acts 7:56)
Jesus stood to welcome Stephen into his eternal home. I like to think that every true believer will be first welcomed into heaven by their Savior who stands to embrace them. After that, we hopefully have many more loved ones to meet who have passed on before us in faith.
Jesus is praying
We also learn from Scripture that Jesus spends time praying for his children. The apostle Paul writes, “Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.“ (Romans 8:34) The author of Hebrews affirms the same truth: “Therefore he (Jesus) is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” (Hebrews 7:25)
Intercession is prayer which is directed toward the needs of others. Jesus knows our everyday challenges and is constantly praying for his followers. What a joy and comfort that is!
Jesus is preparing
There are at least two things Jesus is preparing. The first is described by the apostle John quoting Jesus, “… I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2-3)
Jesus knows who his children are and he is already preparing their heavenly home.
The second is recorded by Matthew (also quoting Jesus): “Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.“ (Matthew 24:44) A couple chapters later, Matthew again quotes Jesus, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.” (Matthew 26:64). Scripture is clear that Jesus is preparing to return to our world to usher in the final chapter of world history.
Jesus may be doing much more as well, but we know these things for sure. He is sitting in a place of great authority. He is standing to welcome his children home. He is praying for his followers still on earth. And he is both preparing a heavenly home for each believer as well as preparing to return to the earth he once walked upon.
In our present world of uncertainty and instability, I hope these truths will challenge and encourage you. Remember, normal isn’t coming back… but Jesus is.
Rob Weatherby is a retired pastor who is looking forward to heaven or Jesus’ return (whichever comes first).
