Being immersed has two meanings. First, it means to be dipped or submerged. This is what happens when we’re baptised. In baptism we publicly declare that we’re trusting in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our salvation. But it means more than just being immersed in water. Unless we’re committed to following Christ in every area of our lives, baptism just means we go down into the water dry and come up wet and unchanged. That’s where the second definition comes in. Immersed also means to be involved deeply in an activity. We need to be deeply involved in Christ. We need to be clothed in Him. Everything we do needs to be shaped by Him. Every part of who we are needs to be full of Him. We need to be surrounded by Him. Jesus told the disciples: ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age’ (Matthew 28:19-20 NIVUK). This verse shows us three things we need to be immersed in. 1) Immersed in the principles of Christ. Jesus says ‘obey everything’, not just the parts we’re comfortable with. 2) Immersed in the purposes of Christ. We’re called to tell others about Jesus. He says: ‘Go…and make disciples.’ 3) Immersed in the presence of Christ. Jesus promised: ‘I am with you always.’ We need to cultivate a sense of His presence in all we do. He’s always there, we just need to immerse ourselves in Him.

What Now?

Which of these do you need to immerse yourself in more - the principles, purposes, or presence of Christ? Think of one way you could become more immersed and then put it into action.