Don’t miss out on Jesus as he passes by
A simple but powerful prophetic word was brought at Jubilee several weeks ago: Jesus is passing by… what are you going to do about it?
It was the kind of word that doesn’t just encourage – it provokes, it awakens. It stirred something in us. It led to Rob writing a blog post: Jesus is passing by. It sparked a whole prophetic teaching series, which you can catch up with here on the Jubilee Church website.
Recognising the Moment
The heart of this series has been about recognising the moment – being spiritually alert, soft-hearted, and responsive when Jesus draws near. It’s about checking the posture of our hearts. Not just on a Sunday morning or during a moment of worship, but in our everyday lives.
Are we ready when Jesus passes by?
Sometimes the biggest danger isn’t outright rebellion – it’s subtle indifference. A bit of cynicism. A touch of spiritual fatigue. Disappointment that quietly shuts down our expectancy. Familiarity that dulls our awe.
So, here’s the prayer we’ve been praying:
“Have your way with us, Jesus. Come, Holy Spirit.”
The Gospels are full of people who didn’t wait passively. When Jesus passed by, they reached out, cried out, climbed a tree, touched the hem of His garment, or shouted from the roadside.
And He stopped for them.
These aren’t just historical stories – they are invitations. Blueprints. They challenge us to ask:
Will I respond when Jesus draws near?
Because Not Everyone Responded…
There’s a sobering thread that runs through the Gospels too: not everyone who heard Jesus or saw the miracles responded with faith. Some missed their moment entirely. And the warning is clear – it can happen to us too.
Heart Checks
So, as we reflect on the series, here are a few heart checks. These examples from Scripture are more than interesting case studies – they’re caution signs on the road of faith:
Religious Pride
• Luke 7:30 – “But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God’s purpose for themselves…”
• The Pharisees were so confident in their own understanding of God that they couldn’t see God standing in front of them in Jesus. and when He didn’t fit their expectations, they missed Him.
• Heart check: Have I become proud or unteachable in how I think God should move?
Offence at How God Comes
• Matthew 13:57 – “And they took offense at him…”
• The people of Nazareth couldn’t receive from someone so familiar. Their offence closed the door to their miracle.
• Heart check: Have I become offended by the way God is choosing to work in me, or through others?
Distraction with Other Things
• Luke 14:18 – “But they all alike began to make excuses…”
• In Jesus’ parable of the banquet, many missed out because they were simply too busy.
• Heart check: Is my life too cluttered to notice when Jesus is calling?
Fear of What It Might Cost
• Luke 18:23 – “When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.”
• The Rich Young Ruler wanted eternal life, but not if it meant letting go of what he loved most.
• Heart check: Am I holding something back from Jesus?
Unbelief
• Hebrews 3:19 – “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
• The Israelites had seen miracle after miracle – but still didn’t trust God.
• Heart check: Have I stopped believing that Jesus will actually come through for me?
Misplaced Expectations
• John 6:15, 66 – “They intended to come and make him king by force… many of his disciples turned back.”
• Some followed Jesus for what He could give them but walked away when it got difficult.
• Heart check: Am I following Jesus for who He is, or for what I want Him to do?
Spiritual Blindness
• Luke 19:42–44 – “…you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”
• Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they missed their moment of peace.
• Heart check: Am I spiritually awake to what God is doing right now?
Delay and Indecision
• Matthew 25:10 – “…and the door was shut.”
• The foolish virgins didn’t prepare in time – and they missed their invitation.
• Heart check: Am I delaying obedience, waiting for a more convenient time?
So What Now?
We believe Jesus is still passing by – in our gatherings, in moments of prayer, through conversations, in quiet whispers. He’s calling us to step out, cry out, reach out, fall at His feet.
We don’t want to miss our moment. We don’t want to sleep through our visitation. We want to be people who respond with faith, humility, and hunger.
As the series closes, the invitation remains open.
Will you come back? Will you cry out? Will you follow? Will you say, “Have mercy on me”?
Don’t miss the moment.
Jesus is passing by.
