1. Jesus Christ on the Cross
The event of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion is the core of Christian faith and its most climactic moment. In John 19:18 and the following verses, we find a vivid account of Jesus ascending Golgotha, being crucified alongside two thieves, and undergoing excruciating suffering. According to the text, Jesus is nailed to the cross “in the middle,” which powerfully reveals His redemptive work—dying in place of sinners in the very midst of them. The image of Jesus placed between two criminals is shocking, yet it bears profound spiritual implications, for it shows that the Son of the Almighty God took on humanity’s sin in the most shameful and tragic place.
In his interpretation, Pastor David Jang notes that the crucifixion event should not be seen merely as a “defeat” or a tragedy. In the same passage, Pilate’s inscription of the title “King of the Jews” in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin demonstrates a sovereign plan that this news would be proclaimed not only to the Jews but also to the Greeks and Romans. This detail can be understood as a foreshadowing that Jesus is not just the king of the Jews, but the Messiah who came to save all humanity. Emphasizing this point, Pastor David Jang stresses that Jesus’s redemptive work is never confined to a particular ethnic group or social class. Paradoxically, the inscription proclaiming Jesus as the King of the Jews—intended by Pilate to serve political ends—ultimately declares the majesty and true identity of Jesus.
Although Pilate committed a grave sin by handing over an innocent man to be crucified under charges of political disturbance, the sign he insisted on—“King of the Jews”—in fact revealed Jesus’s true identity. Pilate’s resolute statement, “What I have written, I have written,” becomes a kind of “instrument” in unveiling the redemptive plan of God, a plan Pilate himself did not understand. According to Pastor David Jang, we can see in this irony the hidden providence of God: that even chance events in human history or the arrogant decisions of authorities inevitably come to fulfill God’s ultimate intentions.
Thus proclaimed the “King of the Jews,” Jesus is subjected to utter humiliation and suffering on the cross to bear the sins of the world. Most of His disciples flee, leaving behind only a few women and His beloved disciple John. Meanwhile, the Roman soldiers cast lots for the garments of those crucified, essentially plundering the last possessions of a condemned man. They even cast lots for Jesus’s final garment, a “seamless tunic.” Outwardly, this looks like nothing more than an act of taking a dying man’s last belongings, but spiritually, it represents the world’s greed. While the Lord emptied Himself completely for sinners, the world foolishly fought over His last remaining piece of clothing.
Pastor David Jang says that this scene acts like a “mirror,” prompting the church and individual believers to examine themselves. Merely because one is a believer or part of a church does not guarantee humility and self-denial before the cross. Sometimes, even the church community mirrors the world’s ways—competing for more possessions, higher status, and greater fame. The Roman soldiers’ greedy behavior under the cross in John 19 is not merely a story from the distant past but a warning of what can still unfold in today’s church. Pastor David Jang calls for self-reflection: Are we at times using our faith to pursue worldly goals rather than meditating deeply on the suffering and mercy of Christ under the cross?
Standing near the cross, however, are four women who do not flee in terror but remain with the Lord in His suffering. They are Jesus’s mother Mary, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. This place was not just sorrowful; it was terrifying because Roman soldiers were guarding it and executing people mercilessly. Yet these women stood by, clinging to the cross and watching Jesus in love. They could have fled like Peter did, but their love overcame their fear. This is a significant lesson for believers even today: Though there is suffering on the path of the cross, anyone who truly grasps Christ’s love does not turn away. Pastor David Jang says that the devotion of these women symbolizes the courage and love that the church should emulate, as they remained and accompanied Jesus through the most agonizing moments.
Meditating on this passage helps us more deeply understand how Jesus, who is both King and High Priest, descended to the lowest place. In the Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly hints at His identity as the “good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep” (cf. John 10). Indeed, Jesus surrendered everything and ended up losing even the seamless tunic He wore. The love shown by Jesus in bearing the sins of the whole world on the cross far exceeds any moral act of kindness in this world. It was a perfect sacrifice for sinners, and it stands as the most dramatic redemptive event revealed by God Himself through Jesus. Pastor David Jang invites us to meditate on this “irony” of Jesus being the greatest King who, at the same time, empties Himself completely in the form of a servant.
Another noteworthy point is that John specifically mentions Jesus’s undergarment as being “woven in one piece from the top.” This brings to mind the style of clothing worn by the high priests in ancient Israel. The High Priest of old wore distinctive garments symbolizing holiness—signifying complete service unto God. Pastor David Jang explains that the fact that Jesus’s tunic was woven in one piece implies that He, as the true High Priest, died to accomplish a complete redemption. On the surface, Jesus’s death seems pitiful and vain, but on a spiritual level, it was the majestic moment of fulfilling the most honorable mission. Meanwhile, the Roman soldiers’ act of casting lots for that garment starkly contrasts human selfishness and indifference with the holiness of Jesus’s sacrificial role.
Hence, the casting of lots by the soldiers at the foot of the cross reveals a hardened indifference to Jesus and the height of worldly greed. Those consumed by greed cannot see Jesus as the true King; they view even His final garment merely as profit. It is a refusal of grace at the very moment it is most needed and is tantamount to mocking God. Yet for those who properly meditate on the Lord’s crucifixion, this scene is not only shocking but also a sign that prompts us to examine our own spiritual condition. Everything we fear losing has already been given up by Christ, who gave all He had for our salvation. Therefore, He alone is both the key to overcoming greed and materialism, and the holy example we should follow.
The official title “King of the Jews,” declared at Pilate’s judgment seat, and the image of Jesus on the cross, stripped of everything, form a mysterious paradox: He is the King who willingly gave up everything; the holy High Priest who suffered the most shameful criminal’s death; the One who holds all power yet chose to be mocked among the crowds. Pastor David Jang notes that this spiritual paradox is the very essence of the gospel we must grasp through the crucifixion. The cross was not Jesus’s defeat but His ultimate victory, and it was the greatest expression of love for all humanity.
In this way, the core of the “theology of the cross” that Pastor David Jang underscores is that Jesus, though sinless, lowered Himself to the place of sinners and became the perfect sacrificial offering to reconcile God and humanity. The image, as John’s Gospel shows, of “The Crucified God” reflects the fundamental value and identity that Christians should hold in mission and ministry. In a world that pursues more and better, comfort and success, the church and believers are called to take the opposite path—the path of the cross. On that path, we learn to lay aside our selfish desires, pride, and empty worldly ambitions, relying solely on the grace and love of the Lord.
Therefore, Pastor David Jang teaches that we must always return to the foot of the cross and behold it vividly. The Roman soldiers’ casting of lots for Jesus’s final garment is not just some barbaric act of the past but something that can happen in today’s churches as well—if we reduce the cross to a mere tool for “possessions and greed.” We must examine whether we have subtly become complicit in such a worldly plan. At the same time, the image of Jesus giving up absolutely everything reawakens our faith and inflames our longing to be like Him. Pastor David Jang points out that what the church must display in the world goes beyond mere asceticism or renunciation; it is the practical demonstration of love that voluntarily gives itself up where it is needed and willingly shares in others’ suffering.
The scene at the cross is filled with ironies: “the Son of God placed among thieves,” “the purest one dying in the filthiest place.” In those ironies, we are compelled to remember that, as sinners, we have been saved by the grace of Jesus. The contradictory details in this story illuminate even more powerfully Jesus’s absolute sovereignty and love. And that love is connected to the women who stayed until the end at the foot of the cross, showing true devotion and courage. Pastor David Jang asserts that the church should learn from these women’s sincere faith and sacrificial love. Only love can drive out fear, and only love can keep us from abandoning the Lord even in the midst of severe suffering under the cross.
John 19 records how Jesus’s crucifixion fulfilled the prophecies of Scripture (such as Psalm 22) and achieved perfect salvation within God’s holy purpose. The central message Pastor David Jang emphasizes here is that the path Jesus took—stepping down, emptying Himself, giving everything—was genuine victory and is the sacred calling given to us. Pilate’s oppressive political decree, the soldiers’ greedy casting of lots, and the merciless cries of the Jewish leaders are all ultimately rendered powerless before the redemptive work Jesus accomplished. The wooden cross, where Jesus is proclaimed “King of the Jews,” stands as a symbol of truth mightier than any political schemes or worldly ambitions.
When we look up at Jesus on the cross, we realize Jesus’s absolute self-giving and the values of God’s kingdom. We also come to acknowledge that this path is the path we, too, must follow. Pastor David Jang proclaims that the way of the cross is the source of grace that keeps the church alive. Though the world continues to divert our focus and tempt us with greed and selfishness, those who fix their eyes on the cross receive the Spirit of Jesus’s love, humility, sacrifice, and devotion. The sinless Son of God, suffering among thieves, reveals the depth of His love for us, who, like robbers, were lost in our sin. Even today, this truth remains the heart of the gospel. We must cling to it and draw near to the foot of the cross. According to Pastor David Jang, this gospel is the greatest gift the church can offer the world: the message of Jesus’s holy sacrifice.
2. The Cross
Though the crucifixion of Jesus happened two thousand years ago, it continues to profoundly affect today’s church and believers. Modern society is often characterized by materialism and individualism, and the church itself can sometimes be swayed by secular trends. In this context, Pastor David Jang highlights the crucifixion scene in John 19:18 and the verses that follow, reminding the church and Christians of the essential values we must hold. He summarizes the spiritual lessons of the cross in two main points: first, that God’s self-emptying and sacrificial love for us is the very essence of salvation; second, that this love must manifest in concrete actions in our daily lives.
The crucifixion scene—“the Son of God crucified between thieves”—confronts us with a dramatic paradox. Though Jesus was condemned as a criminal, in truth He was carrying out the atoning work for the sins of those very criminals. Viewing this paradox from the perspective of the modern church, we see that the church, too, is often ridiculed and scorned by the world, but it is precisely in such times that the church is challenged to reveal the true heart of the gospel. Pastor David Jang explains that when the church practices “the theology of the cross” in the midst of the world, it invites the “thieves”—those stuck in sin—to encounter salvation.
The problem arises, however, when the church forgets the “spirit of the cross” and succumbs to the lure of material abundance, external influence, or alliances with worldly power. This is no different from the Roman soldiers rolling dice to divide up Jesus’s clothing at the foot of the cross. We may profess faith and ask for God’s grace, yet in reality we often wonder, “How can I make a bit more profit?” or “How can I expand my possessions and prestige?” Pastor David Jang warns that the soldiers’ gambling for Jesus’s last garment is not simply a matter of ancient history but something that can happen within the modern church if we are not vigilant.
Here Pastor David Jang reminds us that Jesus never exercised His kingship according to worldly standards, nor did He pursue material wealth. Rather, unlike the kings of the world, He lowered Himself and served in the form of a servant, ultimately dying in the most shameful way with nothing left in His possession—thereby completing God’s redemptive plan. In this light, both the church and believers are faced with a serious call to recover a “cross-centered spirituality.” Even though we proudly call ourselves disciples of Jesus, we often follow the world’s success formulas and seek comfort and wealth. But Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). This is the life the church and believers are truly called to.
Thus, the cross is both a symbol of disgrace, shame, and death, and the starting point of resurrection hope that transforms a believer’s life. Pastor David Jang asserts that there can be no resurrection without the cross, nor can one enjoy a new life without self-denial. Therefore, a community that believes in and follows Jesus must constantly meditate on the love of the cross and put it into practice. Only then can the church be the salt and light of the world. Jesus hung between thieves, endured mockery from Roman soldiers, and was scorned by the people as “the so-called King of the Jews.” Yet even in the face of such humiliation, He did not respond with divine vengeance or retaliation; He offered forgiveness to the end. “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” is a prayer reflecting the pinnacle of a love that defies human logic.
Applying this to our present reality, we see how frequently churches break into disputes over trivial matters, fail to forgive, and harbor resentments—ignoring the commandment of love that Jesus taught. Pastor David Jang stresses that the cross must stand at the very center of church life for exactly this reason. It must not be just a decorative ornament or a religious emblem, but an active source of transformation, reconciliation, and forgiveness in our lives and communities. This is the true power of the cross and the way in which the church can exert a positive influence on the world.
Moreover, by examining the women who stayed with Jesus until the end at the foot of the cross, we realize anew that, in the end, love remains. These four women—Jesus’s mother, His aunt, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene—risked their safety to remain there, motivated by deep love. From a rational perspective, staying near the place of execution could only bring them unnecessary danger. But their love for Jesus kept them there, which in turn resulted in the blessing of being the first to witness the risen Lord on Easter morning. Pastor David Jang believes that when the church does not lose sight of this love, it can bear witness to the resurrection, even in a world filled with ridicule and persecution.
Pastor David Jang highlights the principle that “love overcomes fear,” affirming that the only way the church can resist secular temptation and preserve the essence of the gospel is to stand firmly on the foundation of the cross’s love. No matter how large or impressive a church’s building or programs may be, if the spirit of the cross is absent, it will fail to move people’s hearts, and God’s power will not be evident. The world, even now, is seeking “genuine love,” not the church’s financial might or architectural grandeur. And that love flows directly from Jesus, who poured out everything on the cross.
Therefore, the crucifixion is not just a harsh death story from the past. As long as the church exists, the cross continually confronts our sins, even as it invites us to follow the path of forgiveness and love. Just as Jesus was crucified though He was innocent, while soldiers and religious leaders mocked Him and stripped Him of His garments, the church and believers today may also suffer unjust treatment and mockery. But it is precisely at such times that we can demonstrate a different way of responding. We should not, like the Roman soldiers, stir up contention just to gain more tangible benefits—our own “casting of lots”—but follow Jesus’s example quietly, sharing love and identifying with others in their pain.
Pastor David Jang refers to this as a “cruciform discipleship.” It means a discipleship that does not rule over the world like a king but one that empties itself, participates in the sin and wounds of the world, and practices self-giving love. In that sense, the cross is the ultimate model of discipleship, and it inevitably involves a painful process of denying our self-centered ambitions. Yet beyond that suffering lies the glory of resurrection. Participating in this process is the “holy way” that the church is called to walk.
Through his preaching and writing, Pastor David Jang offers concrete suggestions for how the church can apply the message of the cross in our modern context. For instance, in a society that worships money and relentless competition, he urges churches to devote their resources not just to lavish events or facility expansions but to supporting the socially disadvantaged and those in suffering. Instead of aligning itself with political power or striving for worldly influence, the church should, like Jesus, serve from a lowly position and create a culture of respect for others. This, he insists, is the practical implementation of the cross’s spirit.
Today’s church faces many challenges. Young people are leaving, and the tides of postmodernism, pluralism, and moral relativism are rising, reducing the church’s apparent influence. Yet Pastor David Jang emphasizes that the church’s true power does not lie in grand slogans, popular programs, or political alliances. Instead, a church that holds fast to the pure gospel, humbles itself before the cross, and embodies Christ’s love can effect genuine change. History shows that churches which have centered their spirituality and practice on the cross have been precisely those that serve as salt and light in their societies.
Hence, Christians need to make it a regular discipline to keep their eyes on the cross in daily life. The cross declares: “I acknowledge that I am a sinner, and that Jesus died in my place.” It is also the place where, by the power of that love, we receive the ability to forgive and love others. Pastor David Jang identifies many of the modern church’s ills as arising precisely because we lose sight of the spiritual essence of the cross. Before debating worship style or program changes, or even reorganizing church structures, the church must first restore the theology of the cross.
We should also remember that the women at the foot of the cross, who remained until the end, serve as a reminder of the church’s identity. As women in that era, they were marginalized and lacked legal protection. Yet their devotion and courage made them central witnesses of the crucifixion event. Likewise, the contemporary church realizes the spirit of the cross when it stands in solidarity with society’s marginalized, the silenced, and the suffering. Pastor David Jang repeatedly asserts that the church cannot merely be a place where people gather for worship within its walls; it must also be an open community that sheds tears alongside those who weep and actively cares for the marginalized.
The message of the crucifixion for today’s church is unambiguous: the church must follow the spirit of the cross—Jesus’s model of self-sacrifice and love. Even if conflict and division arise within the church, looking to the cross and seeking paths of forgiveness and reconciliation should be our priority. Even if society mocks or criticizes the church, we must believe that the way of the cross is the way of life and respond with greater humility. In doing so, the church’s humility becomes a channel for serving and loving the world, which may ultimately bring many souls to the gospel. Pastor David Jang concludes that this is “how the way of the crucified Jesus continues to unfold powerfully today.”
Reflecting on John 19 and Jesus’s suffering and death, then, we must earnestly recognize how crucial it is for us to forsake our worldly desires and self-interest, and to embrace the heart of the Lord. Many of Jesus’s disciples dispersed in fear at His suffering, but the few who remained—especially the women—held fast to that love. Similarly, if the modern church holds firmly to the “love of the cross,” even amid the world’s disparagement and persecution, it will share in the resurrection glory that the Lord has prepared. This is Pastor David Jang’s message.
The crucifixion encapsulates the very core of the Christian gospel and simultaneously reveals Christ’s kingship and His role as High Priest. But what is astonishing is that this glorious salvation was accomplished in the midst of the cruelty and callousness of Roman soldiers and Jewish leaders. This fact points directly to how the church and believers must practice holiness and love in a sin-ravaged world. Rather than yielding to the world or hiding in fear of being ridiculed, we should stand at the foot of the cross, follow Jesus’s footsteps, and proclaim the grace that saved us “robbers.” Pastor David Jang insists that only a church “armed with the spirituality of the cross” can truly transform the world.
The cross signifies tears, suffering, and even death, but it also opens the way to resurrection, hope, and salvation. Being a Christian means deciding to live in the shadow of the cross; a church becomes truly the church when it rearranges its priorities and ministries under the spirit of the cross. Standing before the cross, we no longer resemble the soldiers who cast lots over trivial possessions or the rulers who look for political advantage. Instead, we become people so captivated by God’s love that we cherish those souls Jesus purchased with His blood, and we persevere in following the Lord even through hardship.
According to Pastor David Jang’s teaching, the crucifixion is both the “spiritual starting point” for the church and believers, and the “continuous place of return.” It is the starting point because we were forgiven and saved by Christ’s death; it is the continuous place of return because even after resolving to deny ourselves and follow Jesus, we stumble, and it is the power of the cross that picks us up again. The world is still full of “thieves,” greedy soldiers, and self-proclaimed kings, but the atoning love Jesus demonstrated remains powerful and keeps calling sinners to salvation.
Hence, the church must refocus on the cross, declaring and embodying this love, never losing hope in the resurrection. Because Jesus, on the cross, was stripped even of His seamless tunic—symbolizing His fully sacrificed body—we, too, can enter salvation. Facing this reality, the church can no longer cling to self-interest. If the Lord has given everything, then it is only fitting that we also share our resources, devote ourselves, and love sacrificially.
Pastor David Jang summarizes the church’s spiritual growth through the crucifixion in two ways. First, it is about grace: believing that Jesus’s total sacrifice has atoned for our sins so that we can worship and serve with joy and freedom, rather than being trapped in guilt or powerlessness. Second, it is about discipleship: this grace compels us to show “cross-shaped love” to others in the world. Whoever receives grace naturally learns to extend grace to others, and that is precisely the church’s essential calling.
Thus, the crucifixion not only upholds and strengthens our faith but also lays out a clear path for how the church should live amid the world. Pastor David Jang stresses the importance of daily meditation on the cross and urges us to put it into action. In doing so, the church becomes more than just another religious institution; it becomes a conduit of God’s power that truly heals and revives the world. The shocking love displayed when Jesus, placed among thieves, silently endured the cross—completing salvation only after He was stripped of His last garment—remains the life-giving source that restores and regenerates us even today. This is the very heart of the gospel.