Are you a parent? If you aren’t a parent, you had one. What would you say is the most common disciplinary phrase said by all parents at least once in their parenting career? Is it, “No!” or “Come here!” or what about my all time favorite I’ve heard parents say over and over,

Because I said so!”

That one always got me as a child. Does that mean there is no valid reason other than your desires? Now, before you get all riled up, I’m guilty of saying it too. It just really bugged me when I did. So I started thinking about it and came to the conclusion it was the fasted way to convey,

Because I know things that you don’t know and you need to trust me as your parent to do what is best for you so please do as I say without arguing.”

Peter, who may be my favorite disciple because I relate to him the most, had a because I said so moment with Jesus but the beautiful thing is Jesus didn’t even have to be the one to say because I said so. Peter just knew. You can find the story in Luke 5:1-11.

Two teams of seasoned fishermen have spent the entire evening fishing. They knew that nighttime is when fish feed so they’re more likely to come toward the surface, thus bringing in a larger catch; however, that had not proven successful for them this time. They hadn’t caught a thing.

Think about it, you’ve worked your shift, you’ve just pulled your nets in empty and you’ve landed on shore. You’re about to get out of your boat and head for home. Then some guy you don’t know, at best you’ve heard about, steps into your boat and asks you to push out from shore. Sure, you do it, because you’re polite and there’s a crowd watching. No reason to make a scene, even if you are tired from a long night of work. But then, this guy you hardly know at all attempts to tell you to put your nets out in the morning to catch fish. Is he a fisherman? Does he think you’re new to this gig? Everyone knows the best fishing is at night. To prove your point, you say, maybe even a bit sarcastically,

Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because You say so, I will let down the nets.”

At this point, I almost wonder if Peter was looking forward to saying another common phrase we hear a lot. You know the one. It’s already swimming around in your head…

I told you so.”

Peter never had that opportunity. Because of his obedience, whether intended or not, he experienced his first miracle with Jesus. Luke 5:6-7 says,

When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

I’m sure at that point Peter’s eyes were bugging out of his head. He was probably getting whiplash as he jerked his head back and forth between the catch and Jesus, Jesus and the catch. Peter may be slow, but he eventually gets there.

Friends, how many miracles have you and I missed out on because we’ve failed to do what Jesus said just because He said so?

I know I’m guilty. I want the full blown explanation and the game plan at times and it’s cost me. I’m the obnoxious child asking “Why?” I know that I’ve missed out on miracles because of my own stubbornness. I’ve also encountered them when I’ve been willing to simply obey.

Obedience is the key to blessings.

Now, blessings should never be the reason for obedience. Devotion to God should be, but they certainly don’t hurt.

What is Jesus telling you to do or not do today? Why are you fighting Him? Do you think you have a better plan? Do you already know how things will work out before they happen? He does. Why not trust Him?