When Jesus Passes By—The Divine Invitation

El Brown
Nov 19, 2024
5 min read

There is a mystery in the way Jesus interacts with His disciples, a purposeful tension in His actions that draws us deeper into understanding Him. One of the most striking moments is when Jesus, walking on water, "acted as though He were going to pass by them" (Mark 6:48). Similarly, after His resurrection, on the road to Emmaus, "He acted as if He were going farther" (Luke 24:28). These moments are not accidents, nor are they deceptions; they are deliberate.

Why would Jesus pretend to pass by? What does this tell us about His nature, His teaching, and His desire for us? These passages are rich with meaning, layered with divine intent, and they carry a profound message for those willing to look beyond the surface.

Mark 6: Jesus Walking on Water

In Mark 6:48, the disciples are in a boat, struggling against the wind and the waves. Jesus comes to them, walking on the water—a miraculous display of His divine authority over creation. Yet the passage says something curious:

"He saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them."

The idea that Jesus "meant to pass by them" is perplexing. Why would He approach them in their moment of struggle, only to appear as though He intended to move on? The answer lies in the layered meaning of His actions.

Theophany and Revelation: The phrase "pass by" echoes moments in the Old Testament when God revealed Himself in power and glory. When Moses asked to see God’s glory, God said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you" (Exodus 33:19). Similarly, when Elijah was on Mount Horeb, the Lord passed by in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:11-12). By "passing by" on the water, Jesus is revealing Himself as the divine Son of God.
An Invitation to Faith: Jesus’ apparent intention to pass by was not an act of indifference but a deliberate invitation. He wanted the disciples to call out to Him, to recognize His presence and respond in faith.

Luke 24: The Road to Emmaus

After His resurrection, Jesus joins two disciples walking to Emmaus, though they do not recognize Him. As they approach their destination, Luke 24:28 tells us:

"So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He acted as if He were going farther."

Again, Jesus appears to intend one thing while knowing He will do another. What is He teaching here?

The Desire for Invitation: Jesus does not impose Himself; He waits to be invited. The disciples urge Him to stay, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent" (Luke 24:29). It is in their invitation that He stays and reveals Himself to them in the breaking of bread.
The Power of Pursuit: By acting as if He would continue on, Jesus gives the disciples the opportunity to pursue Him. This mirrors our spiritual walk—God often waits for us to seek Him, to desire His presence and invite Him in.

Why Does Jesus Pretend to Pass By?

These moments reveal a profound truth about the heart of God. Jesus is not withholding Himself; He is inviting us into a deeper relationship. His actions are not meant to confuse but to awaken faith, to stir hunger, and to draw us into an encounter with Him.

God Does Not Force Relationship: Jesus’ actions show that He desires a genuine relationship, not one born of compulsion. He passes by to see if we will call out, if we will recognize Him, and if we will invite Him to stay.
Faith Is Activated in the Pursuit: When Jesus appears to pass by, it is a test of faith. Will we step out of the boat, like Peter did (Matthew 14:28-29)? Will we call out to Him, like the disciples did on the water? Will we urge Him to stay, as the Emmaus disciples did? Faith requires action, and Jesus’ actions are designed to activate our pursuit of Him.
God’s Presence Is Both Accessible and Mysterious: Jesus walking on water and pretending to go farther reminds us that while God is near, He is also beyond our understanding. His ways are higher than ours, and His presence often comes in ways that challenge our expectations.

What Is He Teaching Us?

Jesus’ decision to act as though He would pass by carries several lessons for us today:

Recognize His Presence: In both stories, the disciples initially fail to recognize Jesus. On the water, they think He is a ghost. On the road to Emmaus, they see Him as a stranger. How often do we fail to see Jesus in our struggles, our daily lives, or even in the people around us? These moments challenge us to develop spiritual discernment, to open our eyes and hearts to His presence.
Respond to the Invitation: Jesus’ actions are an invitation to respond. He does not force His way into the boat or the home—He waits for the disciples to cry out or invite Him in. This teaches us the importance of seeking Him, calling on His name, and making space for Him in our lives.
Faith Requires Action: Faith is not passive; it is active. When Jesus walks on water, He waits for the disciples to cry out. When He acts as though He will go farther, He waits for the disciples to invite Him. These actions remind us that our faith is strengthened when we step out, reach out, or call out to Him.

When Jesus Passes By Today

Jesus still "passes by" in our lives today—not to leave us behind but to invite us into something deeper.

In Our Struggles: When we feel like we are rowing against the wind, Jesus may appear to "pass by" to see if we will recognize Him and cry out for His help.
In Our Moments of Doubt: When we feel as though God is distant, it may be that He is waiting for us to pursue Him, to invite Him to stay, and to seek Him with all our hearts.
In Our Daily Lives: Jesus often reveals Himself in the ordinary—in a conversation, a quiet moment, or a divine "coincidence." But we must have eyes to see and hearts to respond.

The Divine Pause

Jesus’ actions remind us that God is not distant or indifferent. He is near, watching, and waiting for us to recognize Him. His apparent intention to "pass by" is a divine pause—a moment that invites us to respond, to pursue, and to step into a deeper encounter with Him.

May we be people who recognize Him, who call out to Him, and who invite Him to stay. For when we do, we discover that He was never truly passing by—He was drawing near, waiting to reveal His love and power in ways that transform our lives forever.