Day 12—Jesus Is Passing By

“Now it happened one day that Elisha went to Shunem, where there was a notable woman, and she persuaded him to eat some food. So it was, as often as he passed by, he would turn in there to eat some food. And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall; and let us put a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand; so it will be, whenever he comes to us, he can turn in there.””(2 Kings 4:8–10, NKJV)

Yesterday we talked about how God loves to fill the space we empty out for him in our lives. In our scripture passage today we see that principle play out quite literally.

It’s possible that this Shunemite woman had heard about the miracle we read about yesterday, how Elisha had helped the woman, and her jars had been filled with oil. Or maybe she had heard of Naaman, the Syrian, who had been healed of leprosy under Elisha’s ministry. Why let such an anointed man pass by, she thought. So Elisha began to stop at her place. One day Elisha wanted too show his appreciation, and finding out that the woman had been unable to have children, he prayed for her and God gave her and her husband the joy of their life—a baby boy. How glad she must have been that she didn’t let the man of God pass by!

“Then it happened, as He was coming near Jericho, that a certain blind man sat by the road begging. And hearing a multitude passing by, he asked what it meant. So they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. And he cried out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”” (Luke 18:35–38, NKJV)

How glad the man must have been that he didn’t let Jesus pass by, when he received his sign that day!

“Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and (Jesus) was alone on the land. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.” (Mark 6:47–48, NKJV)

This story is a little puzzling. Jesus “saw” them in trouble miles away from his place of prayer; he walked on water to come to them; yet he’s about to accidentally miss them by passing by? I don’t think so. I think he was waiting for them to invite him into the boat! And when he got in, the storm ceased, and they were amazed…

Jesus is passing by you today! He’s passing by you every time you hear the word preached. He’s passing by you every time you have an opportunity to help someone. He’s passing by you in this 21 Days of Prayer opportunity. Don’t miss this opportunity! Make room for Jesus in your house. Give him a place to “abide” (see John 15:7). Don’t be afraid to cry out to him, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Don’t miss out on the one who wants to Revive All in your life!