Was Prayer the Difference?

By Gerald Hochstetler

November 1, 2023

I have often wondered why one thief believed and hoped while the other laughed. Why? I wondered if the one might have had a praying mother.

Maybe he had a mother who prayed, and prayed, and prayed, and after so many years, she gave up in despair. Perhaps the night before he was to be crucified, she wept and prayed one more time, but at this point, she was really, really weak in her faith. Her son was a hardened criminal. Her son was doomed, so she might have thought.

Maybe she died of a broken heart, having had big dreams and hopes for her son. Maybe. We don’t know.

Why did the one thief suddenly have the inspiration to HOPE? Why did he believe that this guy next to him just may be the answer to his problem? Why was one thief moved to hope while the other laughed? Why do some people reach out and believe while others laugh?

Whatever the situation, if there was such a mother, can you imagine her surprise when they met in heaven?

Can you imagine the surprise when Momma discovers that behind every detail in her son’s life was God? God was moving, and perhaps the cross was the final setup to answer her prayers and bring her son into the fold.

I really believe there will be “BIG” surprises just inside those beautiful heavenly gates. Yes, sir! I believe so!

When we see HIM, we shall be like HIM. Then we will know.