Because You Say So--by Kimberly B. Southall
What would you do if Jesus told you to do something which didn't seem to make much sense to you at the time? In Luke chapter 5, Jesus instructed Simon Peter to "Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch," even though the fishermen had worked hard all night without catching anything. If you had been one of those fishermen, how would you have responded to Jesus' instructions? Would you have done exactly as he said without hesitation? Would you have done as he said only after questioning him and finding out why he said to do it? Would you have done whatever the other fishermen thought best? Or would you have ignored his instructions altogether?

You have probably had every one of those responses to Jesus' instructions at one time or another. But there is only one correct response to Jesus' instructions–you should follow them wholeheartedly, without hesitation, just because he says so. That's what Peter's wise response was. When Jesus told him to go fishing again, Simon Peter replied, "Master, we've worked hard all night and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." Did you catch the reason Peter decided to fish more? Because Jesus said so. You see, Peter needed no other reason, and neither do you. You can read the rest of that passage of scripture to see how Peter's obedience was rewarded in a miraculous way. But for now, keep your focus on the unfaltering obedience Peter displayed just because Jesus said so.

Do you strive to be that obedient to what Jesus tells you to do? Take a look at just some of the things Jesus has instructed. Ask yourself if your immediate response to Jesus is, "Yes, Lord, I'll obey just because You said so."

  • . . . 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' –Matthew 22:37 (NIV)
  • . . . 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' –Matthew 22:39 (NIV)
  • . . . in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you . . . –Matthew 7:12 (NIV)
  • . . . Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. –Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
  • My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. –John 15:12 (NIV)
  • If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you . . . –Matthew 18:15 (NIV)
  • . . . be at peace with each other. –Mark 9:50 (NIV)
  • Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. –Luke 6:36 (NIV)
  • Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. –Luke 6:37 (NIV)
  • . . . Do not swear at all . . . Simply let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No' . . . –Matthew 5:34, 37 (NIV)
  • . . . do not worry about your life . . . –Matthew 6:25 (NIV)
  • . . . what God has joined together let man not separate. –Matthew 19:6 (NIV)
  • . . . do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. –Matthew 23:9 (NIV)
  • Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. –Matthew 24:42 (NIV)
  • . . . when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. –Luke 14:13-14 (NIV)
  • Give, and it will be given to you . . . –Luke 6:38 (NIV)
  • . . . let your light shine before men . . . –Matthew 5:16 (NIV)
  • Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them . . . –Matthew 6:1 (NIV)
  • Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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 . . . –Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Wow! That's some 'food for thought," isn't it? And there are many, many more instructions in God's Word. The real issue is what your response is. Is it, "I don't care what you say, Lord," or "I'll obey, Lord, because You say so"?

Copyright © 2002 Kimberly B. Southall. All rights reserved.