It is Mother’s Day, but I’m going to share a lesson my precious Daddy taught me years ago when I was still at home. On a particular day, we were having one of our “Christ Couch Conversations.” This is where Dad and I would have a seat in our living room and discuss Jesus, the Bible and what we could learn. I was so blessed to have these amazing talks with Dad. They caused my spiritual roots to grow deeper. This Dad-Daughter-Discourse happened to center around the upcoming Mother’s Day at that time in my life.
Dad began to talk to me about the day Jesus died on The Cross. He shared how there were multiple things that occurred while Jesus was on The Cross. That day there were also two men being crucified. They hung on crosses on either side of Jesus, with Jesus in the middle.
Mark 15:27
They nailed two robbers on crosses beside Jesus. One was on His right side and the other was on His left side.
In addition to the main focus being Jesus taking upon Himself the sin of the world - our own sin - there was a conversation had between Him and someone who was also there. Dad described to me as Jesus hung on The Cross in excruciating pain - nails piercing His hands and feet, bearing a Crown of Thorns pressing on His precious head in mocking disrespect - there were voices that spoke up.
Luke 23:39-43
39 One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”
40 But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
41 We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
In that moment one of the criminals recognized who Jesus truly was …IS! He saw Jesus as who He is - Redeemer, Savior, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. There, this criminal repented of what he had done wrong and asked Jesus to remember him.
Jesus responds in verse 43 -
“Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Jesus’s remarks were clear to this criminal that day, he was forgiven. This man - paying the consequence for his sin - was now forgiven and had the assurance of spending eternity with God Himself!
The point of this story is evident. One criminal on a cross reached out to Jesus in repentance, asked for forgiveness and received it from our gracious Lord. Herein, lies the cornerstone of what my dad was trying to show me. Dad said to me, “Could it be that a Mother’s Prayer was answered that day?!”
Whew! Even now as I write this, I remember my overwhelming reaction to this insightful question my dad posed.
This man, known to all as a criminal, except to one beautiful, caring and loving woman. To her, he was her little boy. The baby she carried and brought into the world. The young man that she raised, believed in, cheered for. After all - she was the first woman in his life. Somehow, he made wrong choices and had to pay the price for them. Yet, in those last hours, minutes and seconds of his life - the very possibility that because of his mother’s prayers - he saw Jesus and Jesus saw him.
With the last breaths being breathed by her son, not a criminal in her heart, he repented to His Redeemer and received forgiveness for his sins. Before he died - this man known to everyone as criminal, but to this Mother he was her baby boy - received salvation and would spend eternity with Jesus. Could it have been all because of a Mother’s Prayers?
Friend - today - if you don’t know Jesus, I invite you to spend some time praying and seeking Him to search your heart. Ask Him to forgive you and welcome Him into your heart and life as your personal Savior and best friend. It is as simple as those very words.
If you’re a Mother and you’ve been praying for your son or daughter to receive Jesus as their Savior - I encourage you - don’t stop praying! Your prayers just might be the reason they see Jesus, recognize Him as Lord, and repent of their sins. Allowing them to spend the rest of their days, as well as, eternity with Jesus …and you!
My prayer is for all Moms - keep seeking the Lord on behalf of your family. We are so blessed to have praying Moms. If you have your mom in your life today - thank God! If yours is with Jesus now, count your blessings for the prayers prayed over your life and do the same for your children.
If I can pray with you, please email me at thumanburgin@gmail.com or see my Prayer Requests page to submit a prayer request. I will diligently pray with you. I assure you!
Dear Reader - thank you for the Mom that you are, that you want to be - you are appreciated. If you’re not a Mom, be thankful for yours and let her know what a gift she is in your life.
I, too, am so very grateful for A Mother’s Prayers!
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