Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through.
Ezekiel 47:3-5
For the month of July, this devotional will shift from a daily devotional to a weekly devotional. Each week will take a moment to share what we believe God wants to see in North Gate Church. The hope is that you and I might catch the vision, as it’s a vision that God has for His people, regardless of where they live or what community of Christ they engage in. I pray that it’s a blessing to you and draws you closer to God and to His depths. I encourage you to take a moment today to read Ezekiel 47:1-12 to provide some context for this conversation.
The vision for North Gate Church is based upon portions of Ezekiel 47: to see people sourced rightly, healed completely, discipled deeply, and giving generously. This week focuses on “discipled deeply.”
How deep is deep enough when it comes to discipleship?
When Jesus commanded the disciples to “go make disciples,” what did He mean (Matthew 28:19-20)?
He meant to make replicas of themselves: people who followed Jesus and His ways with the idea that those who follow Him would become like Him. This is not a quick process, nor is it a process easily completed. The work of becoming more like Christ spans a lifetime and reaches into eternity. The opportunity for discipleship is wider than we venture and deeper than we swim.
The angel of the Lord invited Ezekiel into a process of dipping into the outflow of the Temple of God. He measured and experienced its width and depth. It was too much for him to span. Ezekiel could not reach across on his own, and he could not touch the bottom on his own. Christ invites us into these waters.
Jesus invites us all into a journey of discipleship of Him that goes wide and deep. It spans a lifetime and reaches into eternity. God wants to see a people willing to go into the waters of His Spirit to become more like Him.
If we believe, we must follow. If we follow, we must learn. When we learn, we must become. In becoming, we look more and more like Him; we look more and more like who God created us to be.
But who do you believe? Who do you follow? Who are you becoming? In a world of “following” on social media, famous pastors, and life-coaching books, whose disciple are you? In Jesus’s day, the disciples of the Pharisees could only get so far with the Word. Many missed the Word Made Flesh named Jesus. The disciples of John could only travel with John until his imprisonment and subsequent death.
We are to live as disciples of Jesus. Who we follow will determine who we become. Who we follow will determine how far and how deep we go.
How deep are you willing to go? How far will you go into His presence? How long will you walk the road with Him? What are you willing to let go of to take hold of His higher call? Who are you following?
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to choose to engage in a discipleship of Christ that abandons what is comfortable. Perhaps God is asking you to reach wide or wade deeply into His presence. Perhaps God invites you today to remember whose disciple you need to be — Who you need to follow. Maybe Jesus is asking you to be discipled deeply.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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