A Day in the Life of Jesus
by Mark Berggren
Has someone ever asked you what you do all day?
We should love it when people ask us this, but sometimes it can sound like they assume we don’t do anything all day! I’ve come to realize that people ask because they care, though, so I’ve come to enjoy telling people about ministry, church, and life as a pastor.
A few months ago my wife asked our 4-year-old son what he thinks I do all day. He said “I think daddy...1) shakes people’s hands in the church lobby 2) then tells them where to go.” Since my role at the Crestwood Campus was about helping people connect, he wasn’t too far off.
Have you ever asked what Jesus does all day, though? Have you ever wondered what He does while you’re working, resting, eating, and sleeping?
The best part about this question is that we don’t need to wonder what Jesus does all day, because the Bible makes it clear. The book of Hebrews was written to give us the specifics of what Jesus does all day. We can almost think of it as His job description.
Hebrews 7:25 (ESV) says “...he always lives to make intercession for...” Christians. Later it says He appears “...in the presence of God on our behalf.” (Hebrews 9:24 ESV)
Isn’t that amazing? His day job is to defend me—and you—to God.
The reason He does this is because God the Father is perfect, and we’re not. When someone stands before God, it’s a little bit like standing before a judge in a courtroom. Every mistake is exposed. Every selfish motive is revealed. Every sin is brought out into the light for the world to see (Hebrews 4:13). And we have no defense against the accusations.
That is, unless we have someone who’s perfect to stand up for us.
Someone like Jesus. Thankfully He applied for the job in Jerusalem 2,000 years ago and was hired three days later when “he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high...” (Hebrews 1:3 ESV). His paycheck is “...the joy set before him...” (Hebrews 12:2 NIV®). It’s what He lives for. It’s what He’s excited to start doing each morning. It’s what He spent 33 years getting ready for on earth.
So fellow Christian, do you feel like you’re not good enough? Right now, Jesus is reminding God that the cross made you “perfect” (Hebrews 10:14). Do you struggle to get that really-bad-thing-you-did-when-you-were-18 out of your head? Right now Jesus is reminding God that He’s purified your past (Hebrews 9:14). Do you wonder if God could really save someone like you? Right now Jesus is telling God you’re His child (Hebrews 2:10-18).
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16 ESV)