“Did Jesus exercise?” It is an odd question, but one that invites us to think more deeply, not just about Jesus’ lifestyle 2,000 years ago, but about our own in this modern sedentary world.

If we define exercise as an activity that we participate in for the sake of health and fitness, then the answer is likely, Jesus did not have an exercise plan. His routine was to go early to a quiet place and spend time with God the Father. But that is not because he was uninterested in physical health. He had an eternal exercise perspective.

Jesus lived in a time when daily life required movement. He worked as a carpenter for much of his adult life, on his feet, using his hands. And during his public ministry, he walked everywhere he went. From village to village, all around Galilee and Judea, and multiple times to Jerusalem. There were no cars, no gyms, and no remote work. Movement was a natural part of life.

Jesus lived without sin unlike us today. He was not lazy or gluttonous. He did not overeat or indulge in excess comfort. His life was naturally balanced. Even as a child, He told his mother, “I must be about My Father’s work.”

But bring that forward to today, and the comparison changes dramatically. We sit for most things -work, entertainment, even socializing. Screens and convenience have slowly conditioned us to minimize effort and maximize ease. For us, physical activity is no longer built into our day. We need to add it back on purpose.

Perhaps if Jesus lived in our day and time on the earth, he would find ways to incorporate physical exercise into his daily routine with mindfulness.

That reminds me of someone closer to home, my dad.

My father did not “work out,” at least not in the gymnasium sense. He built physical activity into the patterns of his everyday life. He took the stairs instead of the elevator when he went to the hospital to see his patients. He push-mowed the lawn as a form of exercise. He washed both his car and my mom’s every week, by hand. He would park the car far from an entrance, and walk. None of these things were flashy or for show, but they kept him active, healthy, and engaged.

He used to tell us that exercise does not have to be complicated. It just needs to be intentional. “Look for ways to move more,” he would say. “It’s better than sitting still.”

That lesson has stuck with me, and it resonates even more when I think about what Jesus might do if he were living among us today. I doubt he would be preparing for marathons or posting gym selfies. But I can imagine him doing something like my dad, walking instead of driving short distances, choosing simple tasks that serve others while keeping his body moving.

1 Timothy 4:8 reminds us that “bodily exercise is of some value, but godliness is of value both for this present life and the life to come.” Not just for physical health, but for mental clarity, emotional resilience, and spiritual readiness. When our bodies are strong and function well, we are more available to serve joyfully, love others, and think clearly.

So maybe the real question is not whether Jesus would exercise. It is why He would.

I think the answer is clear: to be ready to serve. To show up for others. To stay mentally sharp and physically prepared to love others.

Start by adding small, intentional movements into your day. Park farther away. Carry groceries instead of pushing a cart. Say no to the elevator occasionally. Wash the car by hand. Take a walk and talk to God while you do.

And when we move our bodies with purpose, we are walking perhaps in a way that would make both Jesus and our dad’s smile.