Because Jesus says so

"Do it because I said so!" your mom yells.

You've asked too many times why you have to go to bed before your older sister, and your mom is tired of giving reasons.

Jesus got tired of giving reasons sometimes, too -- so in this week's Gospel (John 14:15-21), He gives the same reason as your mom: Just do it!

"If you love me, keep my commandments," Jesus said. "Whoever does that is the one that loves me. My father will love whoever loves me; and I will love them and be with them, too."

Jesus got the same arguments from His followers. When He asked them to listen to Him, follow God and do what the Ten Commandments said, they kept asking why. Why wasn't it enough to just be a nice person? Why did they have to change to follow Jesus?

After you've argued with your mom for a while, she'll probably tell you, "Do it because I said so!" What she really means is, "I know you don't want to go to bed, but I'm your mother, so I'm here to take care of you. And part of that is making sure you get enough sleep, so you can have a good day tomorrow!"

Jesus said something like that, too. What He was really saying was, "I'm God. My rules might sound like a pain to you, but I know everything, so I know these are good rules. So if you want to be close to me, stop asking questions and follow them!"

When your mom finally makes you go to bed, you might feel angry. Jesus' followers weren't too happy about listening to Him sometimes, either. But when you wake up the next morning feeling good, maybe you'll see that your mom was right.

And even if you don't agree with your mom, you do know one thing: Jesus is always right!

PRAYER FOR THE WEEK: Jesus, help me trust that the grownups around me are taking good care of me! Amen.

(05-06-99)