The "Because You Say So" Attitude

Scripture Text: Luke 5:5; John 6:67-69; John 21:19-22

Join me as I look into three dialogues between Jesus and Peter and discover three classic responses to discipleship. Which of the three is your response?

1. “BECAUSE YOU SAY SO, I WILL…” (Luke 5:5)

The disciples spent all night trying to catch fish but they got nothing. Here comes Jesus, telling them to cast their nets once more. Notice Peter’s response:

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

Trivia: Luke is the only gospel that recounts this response in the story The Calling of the First Disciples.

And when they did so, they caught such a large number of fish that they needed their friends help them haul the fish from the water.

Peter was a professional fisherman. He knew what he was doing. But with his response, we can see that he recognized that Jesus (a carpenter’s son, and so most probably knew a lot more about carpentry than fishing) knew better than he did.

He could’ve said, “What do you know about fishing? We’ve been doing this most of our lives.” But Peter had the “because you say so” attitude. And this is one very important attitude to take up as a disciple.

“Because you say so” acknowledges that the other person knows best, even if you do know what you are doing.

“Because you say so” says you’d rather listen to the other person than do what you seem best.

Taking up this attitude does not take away your freedom. Rather, it tells of your choice to follow someone other than your own. And isn’t that what a disciple is? A follower?

What is Jesus asking from me? What is my response to his call?

Have you tried the “because you say so” response?

“Because you say so” is the first step to discipleship. It shows your faith and obedience to the one you choose to follow.

Take the first step! Jesus says you can do what He is asking of you. All you have to do is to say it:


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