Luke 23: 32-43

What stood out:

1. The Mockery of the Son of God. In verse 34, they "divided His garments and cast lots." How dare they divide His garments and cast lots? If only they knew He was the Son of God, who would dare?
2.Jesus was willing to die for us, sinners and unappreciative. He died for: 1. Me, us , now. Although we constantly fail Him, so often take advantage of our salvation, He knew and He chose still to die. 2. The people who mocked Him. He died for us all. If the people who mock Him would repent the next day, accept Jesus into their lives, they would too join Him in eternity. Think of it, who would die for them if they knew there were such chances. He did not just die for His friends, He died for His enemies. Imagine jumping into a about to explode bomb in a battlefield to save the OPPOSITION, this is exactly what He did.
3. The words " remember me" by the second criminal in verse 42. He wanted to be saved. His eyes were open to realise who Jesus was and realise that if there still was a chance, only Jesus could save him.He was revealed the true identity of Jesus, isn't that amazing? Only a few people had the privilege at that time for Jesus identity to be revealed to them. In Matthew 16:15-17, Jesus told Peter that His Father in heaven was the one who revealed it to him, and even called him Blessed.  In Genesis 40:14, Joseph use the same words remember me, he had an intention of getting something out of it. In times like now, when some one goes on a holiday, what do we mean when we say :remember me ?
4. The difference between the 2 criminals. The first criminal wanted life on earth, that's why He asked Jesus to save Himself and save him. He wanted to come down from the cross. He did not realise eternal life. He wanted his body to be saved. The second criminal wanted Jesus to save his spirit. He asked Jesus to remember him in His Kingdom. He realises that life on earth is temporal.

Question: Did Jesus go to hell? He said in V 43, "today you will be with Me in Paradise"