APRIL 5 | LUKE 18:15-30

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DAILY READING

Luke 18:15-30

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REFLECTION

What are Your Nets?

by Carmel Elmer

In a world where all too often material wealth, prestige and power are the measure of success, it can be hard to hear Jesus say how difficult it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. I’ve never been wealthy by most people’s standards but like so many of us, I have been blessed with far more than I need. If asked by Jesus, would I give it all up and follow him? Would you?

There was a time when I read this passage to mean that the rich were being excluded from entering heaven. I have to confess that never seemed fair to me. But today as I reflect on this passage, I realize, that really isn’t what Jesus is saying. Maybe if we back up to verse 17, we get a better idea of what Jesus is really telling us:

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

As I write this, I glance above my desk and see portraits of my children when they were about 3 months old. I remember those sweet little faces looking to me for everything. At the time I found myself exhausted and I looked forward to the day when they could tie their own shoes and even further ahead to a day when they could get dressed without help and pack their own lunches. Of course, now that they live on their own, I wish they needed me more.

The world would have us believe that our highest calling as parents is to raise our children to be independent, successful adults and it’s easy for us to find ourselves forgetting that our Father in Heaven wants just the opposite for us. God wants nothing more than for us to look to Him for everything and to never stop depending on Him for everything. I think Jesus, fully God and yet fully man has a unique perspective of the trappings of too much independence and a quest for wealth. He understands us because He became one of us. He knows that often the more we have, the more we value the things of this world and that can be a barrier to our walk with God.

Would I give up everything and follow Jesus? I would like to believe that like Simon and Andrew in  Matthew 4:18-20 if asked by Jesus I would drop my ‘net’ immediately and follow Him. The real question is, what are the nets that we need to drop to give our lives fully to Christ? What are the things that we cling to that prevent us from living in a kingdom way and looking to our Father in heaven for everything? Is it our material wealth, our homes, or maybe even the people in our lives who have become more important to us than God who gave us all these good gifts? 

During these final weeks of lent, I pray we can all allow our nets to drop and welcome the renewal of a heart that is focused on the giver and not the gift. I want to have that childlike trust in Christ. How about you?

PRAYER

Thank you, Jesus, for reminding us of the importance of having childlike faith and dependence on you for everything. Help us to never ‘grow up’ so much that we begin to believe we can go it alone and cling to material possessions so tightly that we are not willing to leave them behind to walk with You. Reveal the ‘nets’ in our lives that we need to drop so we are ready to follow when You call.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

CARMEL ELMER

I have attended UALC for nearly 25 years, but faith has always been at the center of my life. My mom was an incredible role model, demonstrating a trust in God that surpassed any circumstance. I will always be grateful for her incredible example of faith, and I pray that one day, my children will say the same about me.   

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