Two quick stories about Jesus with the same lesson:
The first, after feeding the multitude, Jesus sent his disciples ahead of him by boat but they ran into trouble. A terrible storm was sinking their boat when, to their shock, Jesus was walking past them on the water. Mark records that detail the others missed.
“…about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But they saw him” – Mark 6:48
The second story involved two lesser known disciples who encounter the risen Lord without recognizing him. They walked and talked but then
“[as] they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: … he made as though he would have gone further. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us” – Luke 24:28-29a
Without some sort of personal response it seems Jesus is quite content to pass right on by.
Don’t let him do that!
Blind Fanny Crosby put it this way in her famous hymn:
Pass me not, O gentle Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.Refrain:
Savior, Savior,
Hear my humble cry;
While on others Thou art calling,
Do not pass me by.Let me at Thy throne of mercy
Find a sweet relief,
Kneeling there in deep contrition;
Help my unbelief.Refrain
Trusting only in Thy merit,
Would I seek Thy face;
Heal my wounded, broken spirit,
Save me by Thy grace.Refrain
Thou the Spring of all my comfort,
More than life to me,
Whom have I on earth beside Thee?
Whom in Heav’n but Thee?Refrain.
– fritz@langgang.com
Patrikin - Kinship through The Father 