Because I Said So

Growing up, my parents would often respond to my question “Why?” with “Because I said so.”  In my sinful nature, I didn’t often trust their lack of explanation and questioned whether they had my best interest in mind. I assumed that their response was because they didn’t want to be bothered. I wondered if they considered the effect their “because I said so” would have on me. 

Funny, the thing that stuck out to me right away in Luke 5:5 is Peter’s response to Jesus telling him to go back out to deep waters and cast their nets. They explain that they have just labored all night and are weary, but because Jesus said so, they will go. Jesus rewarded their obedience with an abundance of fish!    

“Simon answered, ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.’” - Luke 5:5 

Later in Luke, a man with leprosy say to Jesus “you can make me clean” (Luke 5:12). So, Jesus touches the man and heals him. Then we see Jesus give another order without an explanation, and it probably didn’t make sense to the man. He orders the man to tell no one of the details of his healing (Luke 5:14). Why didn’t Jesus want the man to share about his experience and His healing power? The man doesn’t question Jesus’ request, and as a result, the news about Jesus spreads even farther.  

Then, we see an example with the Pharisees that they are calling him a blasphemer due to the words that Jesus chose to heal the paralytic man (Luke 5:21). We can get caught up in the reasoning behind someone's words, but we should realize that sometimes the easier thing for them to say is, “because I said so,” and we should just do it! 

We see over and over in the Bible that Jesus’ way can be trusted. We can accept His, “because I said so,” as a trusted response. We are loved; we are adored; we are protected; God knows what is best for us; we can be confident in His plan for our lives; and we are called to trust and obey. It makes me think of a Christian song:

Trust and obey,

For there’s no other way,

To be happy in Jesus,

But to trust and obey.