Day 23 - Christmas Tradition: Jesus was born to take you to PARADISE - Luke 23:43

The Christmas story about Jesus was born to bring you to Paradise -  Read more about what did Jesus mean when He said "Today you will be with me in Paradise?"

Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release Him.” But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that He be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. So Pilate decided to grant their demand. He released [Barabus] the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will. 
As the soldiers led him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus. A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him. Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for Me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’  Then “‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’  For if people do these things when the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?” 

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with Him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals—one on His right, the other on His left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His clothes by casting lots. The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at Him. They said, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” The soldiers also came up and mocked Him. They offered Him wine vinegar and said, “If You are the king of the Jews, save Yourself.” There was a written notice above Him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!” But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”  

Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” Luke 23:20-43 NIV

Quote: "Only Jesus has the sovereignty and rights to take you to Paradise."  - Hector Perez

Praise & Prayer

Dear Jesus, my heart is broken as I read the horrible torture and unjust pain You suffered to save wretched sinners. I praise You for being the Messiah, God's perfect Son born to die and chosen to redeem murderers, villains, and criminals like Barabas and the two men who were crucified next to You. Lord Jesus, would You please remember me and allow me to enter the gates of Your Kingdom so I can spend eternity with You in Paradise? Holy Father, I can never thank You enough for blessing me with the greatest gift of all, Christ Jesus my Savior. I sing with the angels; "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests." Hallelujah!