I. Pastor David Jang and “The Place of Betrayal that Turned Away from Love”
In John 13:20–30, we encounter a scene where Judas, after receiving the piece of bread from Jesus, immediately goes out into the night. At first glance, it seems like a simple historical fact: “And it was night.” However, Pastor David Jang often points out in his sermons that behind this seemingly mundane detail lies a significant spiritual message. The word “night” here is not merely a reference to the time of day; it symbolizes a person’s willful step into the realm of darkness, an inner spiritual state cut off from the light. Judas chooses the path of betraying Jesus and enters that “night.” According to Pastor David Jang, this event continues to serve as a solemn warning for believers of every generation, even those with a long track record in the church: “Any one of us could at any time fall into the place of betrayal.”
Indeed, Jesus already knew of Judas’s betrayal before and during the Last Supper. Yet He still called Judas to be His disciple, even entrusted him with the money bag, and seated him in a place of honor at the final meal. This was Jesus’ love providing Judas every possible chance to turn back. However, Judas failed to make that love the power that could overcome his own calculations and desires. Instead, he reduced Jesus to a bargaining chip. The terse statement “And it was night” foreshadows the tragic outcome of this choice. Pastor David Jang comments on this scene by saying, “Love is always right before us, but when we fail to receive that love, we plunge into an unseen darkness.”
Hence, Judas’s betrayal is not merely a “historical fact” or the hallmark of a uniquely evil person. He was someone who saw Jesus with his own eyes, heard His voice, and witnessed His miracles up close. In the language of the church, Judas appeared to be a “zealous believer,” carried certain responsibilities, and was recognized as a core member of the community. Yet in the depths of his heart, certain aspects of Jesus’ ministry did not sit well with him. As Jesus’ mission increasingly proved distant from worldly success, Judas began to doubt Him. He saw Jesus’ financially modest approach to ministry as inefficient, gradually helped himself to the money bag, and ultimately traded the Lord for money. Pastor David Jang warns, “Betrayal never happens in a single moment. When minor discontent and greed take root in a corner of our hearts and we leave them unchecked, one day we may find ourselves on an irreversible path.”
In John 13:20, Jesus says, “Whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” On one level, this may be read as an exhortation to show hospitality and respect to those who minister on Jesus’ behalf. More fundamentally, however, it asks, “When God Himself came to this earth, how did you respond to that love?” Immediately after these words, Jesus predicts His betrayal, saying, “One of you will betray me.” It is both ironic and illuminating that this extreme betrayal was lurking right at the table of the Last Supper—one of the richest expressions of love in all Scripture. According to Pastor David Jang, this scene demonstrates that “the same can happen within the church community.” No matter how gracious the worship or how sincere the sharing of Communion, for some people that love fails to penetrate the heart, and instead they shut their hearts and walk the path of betrayal.
Another critical lesson is that Judas did not turn back until the very end. Even as Jesus breaks the bread and offers it to Judas—a final invitation for him to repent—Judas takes the bread and immediately leaves. John adds, “And it was night,” not only indicating the darkness of the hour but also symbolizing the condition of Judas’s soul. Pastor David Jang remarks, “Even in the church, we often share communion, partaking of the bread and the cup, participating in the body and blood of the Lord. Yet there are those who might become hardened in the face of that love.” In other words, merely participating in the rituals and traditions of the church does not automatically grant salvation or ensure an experience of divine love.
When Jesus said one of His disciples would betray Him, the others did not know whom He meant. No one within the disciple community fully grasped the state of Judas’s heart. Pastor David Jang interprets this as revealing “the church’s spiritual indifference” or a “failure to truly watch over one another.” Outwardly, everyone was sharing meals, serving in ministry, and staying close, but no one realized that Judas was nurturing doubt and disbelief, discontent and conflict. If the church rests satisfied with an outward appearance of closeness and zeal, there is a grave danger that someone like Judas might slip deeper into betrayal with no one to help him. Thus, Pastor David Jang urges, “The church must always be on guard, attentively caring for one another’s spiritual condition and sharing love in tangible ways.”
Judas’s betrayal took shape the moment he failed to perceive “love as love.” For instance, when Mary broke her alabaster jar of perfume to anoint Jesus’ feet, Judas saw her beautiful devotion as “waste.” He judged an act of lavish love by the standards of worldly value. Pastor David Jang points out that such an attitude persists in the contemporary church. When someone pours out their heart in obedience to the Lord, breaking their own “alabaster jar,” another might respond with cynicism—“Is that really practical?” As a result, people often dismiss acts of love as lofty ideals that do not offer tangible benefits. In doing so, anyone can easily turn their back. According to Pastor David Jang, “That is precisely when betrayal begins.”
Such betrayal rarely ends in a single step. Judas did not suddenly decide to sell his Master for thirty pieces of silver. Within him, small cracks widened over time—a distorted view of Jesus, financial greed, discontent that Jesus was not fulfilling worldly expectations. Eventually, these elements converged in a drastic decision. The same progression can occur in our daily faith life. Minor doubts left unattended turn into discontent, which may lead us to criticize the church. That criticism can deepen into condemnation and finally betrayal. Hence, Pastor David Jang exhorts believers, “Even small wounds or doubts that remain in a corner of your heart should be brought into the light of the Holy Spirit and dealt with quickly.” Left unresolved, negative emotions can drive anyone to a point of no return.
“And it was night” serves as a symbolic expression of betrayal. Leaving Jesus, the source of light and life, to walk into darkness portrays the despair and shadow of sin that can overwhelm the human soul. Even within the walls of the church and within the routines of faith, we can imprison ourselves in darkness. Outwardly we may appear devout, but inside, worldly cravings rage, and we lock our hearts to the light of love. Ultimately, “going into the night” means that despite living what might seem to be a “religious life,” we are actively betraying Jesus’ path. Pastor David Jang issues a strong warning: “When we sense ourselves beginning to step into the night, we must ask the Holy Spirit for help and halt that path. Otherwise, even in the final moment, we may fail to turn back.”
When such betrayal arises within the church, it is particularly destructive. Criticism and ridicule from non-believers is an external attack the church can at least anticipate. But when someone from within—a person who once professed faith—suddenly chooses betrayal and even takes the lead in undermining the church, the damage to the congregation is immense. That is what the infamous betrayal of Judas, one of the Lord’s closest companions, shows us so powerfully. Hence, “the place of betrayal that turns away from love” is not a distant threat; it is a real danger every church and every believer must guard against. While delivering this warning, Pastor David Jang also insists, “Though betrayal heads into darkness, there is always an open path to repentance.” The real issue is that human hearts can remain so hardened that they do not grasp or hold onto that path.
So how can we protect ourselves and our communities from traveling the road of betrayal? Pastor David Jang advises that we begin by asking ourselves, “Do I truly believe in and embrace the love of Jesus?” Inevitably, there come moments when Jesus’ love seems rough or even inefficient from a human perspective. Some people may see it as “financially wasteful,” while others may feel frustrated because it fails to meet worldly standards of fame or power. Yet this is precisely the point at which “when we fail to see love as love, betrayal begins.” We must choose Jesus’ way, even when it collides with worldly values, to remain in the light rather than the darkness. The seed of betrayal is uprooted when we decide, wholeheartedly, to follow Him, and the roots of love can then flourish.
In conclusion, the phrase “And it was night” in John 13:20–30 extends beyond a reference to literal darkness; it unveils a spiritual darkness—the hardened human heart steeped in betrayal and sin. Judas spent three years in close companionship with Jesus, was entrusted with the money bag, and stayed at His side right to the end. Yet when he judged Jesus’ love as “of no benefit to me” and refused to embrace it, he inevitably chose betrayal. Many believers in today’s church face the same risk. Despite appearing zealous and devout, if they harbor doubts and greed—“Is this path really worthwhile?”—they may one day head out into that same “night.” To prevent such a fall, Pastor David Jang urges continual self-examination through Scripture and prayer, and urges believers to not overlook even minor sins or disbelief. After all, that “place of betrayal that turns away from love” is closer at hand than we might think, and its temptation can come to anyone.
II. Pastor David Jang and “The Final Admonition and Human Stubbornness”
In John 13:27, after Judas had taken the piece of bread, Jesus says to him, “What you are going to do, do quickly.” This is not a mere expression of haste or a sarcastic remark. Jesus already knew Judas had firmly resolved to betray Him, and He also knew where that path would lead. Nevertheless, this verse shows that if a person with free will persists in going astray, Jesus will not forcibly prevent it. Pastor David Jang interprets this passage to mean that “love can never be forced; Jesus does not compel a change of heart by overriding our will.” Although the all-powerful Son of God could have forced Judas to turn back, that would not have been a genuine relationship of love.
Ultimately, Judas rejects this final admonition and plunges into darkness. “As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.” This night was both physical and profoundly spiritual: Judas turned away from the light of love and chose his own darkness. Pastor David Jang emphasizes that this scene starkly illustrates how terrifying human stubbornness can be. The same holds true in the church. We may encounter uplifting preaching, powerful worship, heartfelt prayer, and communion, yet still close our hearts and conclude, “This way doesn’t suit me” or “It brings me no gain.” If we insist on our own way to the end, not even Christ’s final admonition will move us.
Once stubbornness reaches that extreme, Satan readily exploits such a heart and drives it into deeper sin and destruction. Even after Judas betrayed Jesus, he felt remorse, but it never ripened into true repentance. Instead, gripped by despair, Judas ended his life tragically. Pastor David Jang differentiates “regret” from “repentance.” Regret is a vague awareness that one has done wrong, accompanied by anguish, but it lacks the active decision to return to the Lord. Repentance acknowledges sin, turns away from it, and draws near to God, resolved not to repeat it. Peter, though he denied the Lord three times, repented and was restored, whereas Judas merely wallowed in regret and ultimately succumbed to hopelessness. This contrast starkly reveals how self-imposed stubbornness can lead to self-destruction.
Another crucial point is that a ministry or office within the church can itself become a channel for sin. Judas was entrusted with the money bag—an act of trust by Jesus, and an opportunity through which Judas could have grown spiritually and learned responsibility. But Judas saw this role as a chance for financial gain and came to view the entire ministry of Jesus through the lens of money. The disturbing outcome was “the one in charge of the money bag ends up selling the Lord.” Pastor David Jang uses this to warn, “When a church grows and its gifts multiply, the temptation to exploit those blessings for personal, worldly benefit intensifies.” When leaders in the church misuse finances or spiritual authority, it can precipitate an internal betrayal. Thus, the church must remain watchful, and those entrusted with responsibility must constantly reflect on how they are wielding their entrusted power.
“The Final Admonition and Human Stubbornness” is a theme particularly relevant during the season of Lent. Right before walking the path to the cross, Jesus experienced the most extreme betrayal within the disciple community. This provides a major spiritual lesson: even if the church is engaged in profound ministry and its members seem united, one person’s heart might be completely closed. Satan might already be at work inside that concealed darkness. Pastor David Jang warns that no matter how filled with sacraments and God’s Word a church may appear, “If we are not vigilant, the most devastating attack can come from within.” Outwardly, everything may look vibrant—magnificent worship, passionate service—yet someone might harbor a traitorous heart. The moment that heart fully surrenders to Satan, a ruinous downfall ensues.
In those moments, the Lord issues repeated admonitions. Through the Word, through prayer, through the loving counsel of fellow believers, we continually hear, “Come back. Open your heart. I still love you.” Yet if our stubbornness refuses to yield, we may come to the point where Jesus says, “What you are going to do, do quickly,” a moment when God no longer restrains our will. Jesus urges us with love, but He will not violate our free choice. Pastor David Jang calls this “both the pain of love and a testament to God’s dignity.” God does not treat human beings as robots; He desires a genuine relationship of love. If we insist on turning away, He ultimately allows us to do so—yet the result is truly tragic.
An internal betrayal in the church deeply wounds not only the betrayer but also other believers. It sows confusion, disillusionment—“Is this what the church really is?”—and can fracture the community. Pastor David Jang often mentions in his sermons that “even in the early church, betrayal and division posed constant threats, but the apostles overcame them through vigilant prayer and mutual care.” Today’s church must likewise prevent betrayal’s seed from germinating by actively watching over one another in love. We cannot merely assume that “everyone seems zealous, so I guess they’re fine.” Someone might actually be collapsing under doubt, frustration, or worldly ambitions that reduce the church to a means for personal gain. We must look deeper.
Thus, “The Final Admonition and Human Stubbornness” is a very real challenge for every believer. A church may be brimming with grace, yet someone might view that grace as “not the way I wanted” and reject it. If they continue down that path, there may come a time when the Lord effectively says, “Do what you must,” unable to restrain them further. All that remains then is the darkness of night. Even though His grace and love were right there, the individual chose to walk away, culminating in existential ruin. Therefore, we must be ever watchful, examining our hearts to ensure that stubbornness does not take root. It is naïve to suppose one emotional worship service or retreat instantly resolves all spiritual struggles. Our hard-heartedness is cunning; it can return in new forms. Consequently, Pastor David Jang stresses the need for “unceasing devotion to the Word and prayer, continually opening our hearts to receive the Lord’s love,” to keep our stubbornness in check.
On a communal level, we must become each other’s “final admonition.” If someone in our midst is stumbling in doubt or harboring discontent, we have to help them turn around before they embark on a path of complete betrayal. Through loving rebuke, intercessory prayer, and concrete expressions of concern, we prevent hearts from growing hardened. Without such dedicated care, we risk repeating the tragedy of Judas within our churches. Pastor David Jang calls this mutual support “bearing responsibility for each other’s souls,” emphasizing that the church is not just a group gathering in one building for worship, but a community bound in love and accountable to one another.
Finally, we must remember that even amid human stubbornness, God’s sovereign will is still accomplished. Judas’s betrayal was a heinous sin that directly led Jesus to suffering and death; yet through that suffering and death, Jesus broke the power of sin by His cross and brought salvation to the world. This demonstrates how God can turn even evil to serve His plan, but it does not absolve the individual who commits that evil. Judas faced the consequence of his sin, and because he did not move beyond regret to repentance, he doomed himself. Pastor David Jang explains, “God’s will is fulfilled one way or another, but we can either submit and be used, or we can rebel and be judged.” That is the sobering responsibility of free will, and it serves as an urgent warning to the church: learn from the fate of Judas and do not ignore the final admonition, lest we too fall victim to human stubbornness.
III. Pastor David Jang and “The Path of Repentance and Salvation”
At the height of Judas’s betrayal, Jesus steps onto the path of the cross. It is a remarkable paradox: at the very moment humanity commits its worst act of betrayal and sin reaches its zenith, God opens the door to salvation. By dying on the cross and rising again, Jesus conquers the power of death and offers humankind the way to eternal life. However, even though “the greatest event of salvation” was happening right before Judas’s eyes, he did not partake in its blessings. The reason, as Pastor David Jang observes, is that Judas did not truly repent after his betrayal.
In contrast, Peter, who also committed a grave sin by denying the Lord, wept bitterly and confessed his sin. Standing before the risen Christ, he confessed his love anew and became a pillar of the church. This vividly demonstrates the central truth of the gospel: “No matter how great your sin, if you truly repent, salvation is open.” Pastor David Jang defines repentance not only as “turning away from sin” but also “genuinely accepting God’s love and forgiveness.” We must believe that “even a sinner like me can be forgiven” and resolve never to tread the same sinful path again. While Peter was plunged into despair by his denial of Jesus, he poured out his anguish before the Lord and returned to His love, receiving restoration. Judas, on the other hand, though he acknowledged his wrong, concluded there was no way back and allowed himself to be consumed by Satan’s deception and despair.
Again, Pastor David Jang emphasizes the distinction between “regret” and “repentance.” Regret merely expresses the feeling “I messed up,” a remorse that can remain superficial. Repentance, however, includes genuine contrition and the transformation of one’s actions and direction. It does not end in tears but results in a fundamental redirection toward the Lord. After Peter repented, he risked his life to preach the gospel. Had he only wallowed in regret, he might have concluded, “I’m no longer worthy to be called a disciple,” and sunk deeper into darkness. Instead, after encountering the resurrected Jesus and receiving true forgiveness, Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and became a leading voice for Christ. Genuine repentance, therefore, bears fruit in committed obedience and transformation.
A common refrain in church is, “No salvation without repentance.” This is not a legalistic or judgmental statement but a concise expression of a core gospel principle. Because Jesus paid the price for our sins on the cross, we have access to forgiveness no matter the gravity of our wrongdoing. But to actually step into that open path, we must approach Jesus in repentance. If our stance is, “I know there’s love, but I don’t want to change my ways,” then no matter how great God’s grace is, it cannot become ours. Pastor David Jang notes, “The gospel is a path for all humanity, but unless each person chooses to walk through that door with free will, there is no ‘personal’ salvation.”
Lent in particular invites us into this process of repentance. As we reflect on Jesus’ suffering and cross, we confront our inner sinfulness and realize the potential for a Judas-like betrayal in our own hearts. Even if we have spent many years in church or hold a respected office, if we are not truly following the Lord, the seed of betrayal can sprout. Yet as we face this possibility, we also contemplate the cross and resurrection—God’s overflowing grace for us—so that hope for repentance arises. “If I turn back now, the Lord will receive me and restore me.” According to Pastor David Jang, this is the profound purpose of focusing on “The Path of Repentance and Salvation” during Lent.
When we seek repentance, Satan tries to sow despair: “It’s too late for you. With sins like yours, how can you return?” Or he whispers that “it might be easier to just live with regret rather than truly repent.” But these are lies. The cross of Christ is sufficient for all our sins and weaknesses. Another common worry is, “Why bother repenting if I’ll just sin again?” Yet repentance is not a one-time event; it is the ongoing posture of the believer. Pastor David Jang remarks, “As long as our sinful nature remains, we must repent daily and keep turning to the Lord.” Even after Peter’s great repentance, he still had missteps as he grew in faith. But each time, he knelt before the Lord, turned back in repentance, and experienced the transforming power of the Holy Spirit.
Judas’s story is tragic precisely because he never surrendered himself. Satan overtook his mind, driving him to hopelessness and self-condemnation. Even though forgiveness was still possible, Judas concluded there was no path back. This is precisely what Satan aims for—a person’s self-destruction. Occasionally in church, people who commit a serious sin or mistake might say, “I can’t ever go back,” and either depart or abandon their faith. But the gospel insists that no sin makes a person irredeemable. “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” proclaims Paul—a statement which also affirms that repentance opens a new way. Pastor David Jang asserts, “A church should never be a place that condemns and ostracizes sinners, but rather a community that helps them repent, offers them opportunities to turn around, and extends the grace of forgiveness.”
How do we practically walk the “Path of Repentance and Salvation”? First, we must honestly acknowledge and confess our sins. This goes beyond feeling regretful: “Lord, I have sinned against Your will, and I am determined to turn away from it.” Second, we fix our gaze on the cross of Jesus, believing He has already shed His blood for our sins. Only the cross can permanently remove our guilt. Third, once liberated from sin, we must actively pursue holiness through the Word, prayer, and the support of our community—so we do not return to our old patterns. Repentance entails not just a change of heart but a real shift in behavior. Pastor David Jang teaches that “Those who have truly repented will strive to practice love.” After his repentance, Peter dedicated himself wholeheartedly to preaching the gospel, even at the cost of his life.
Lent is an opportunity to reaffirm this path. As we stand before the cross, we realize we have nothing to boast of, yet we also see that by Christ’s blood, everything can be made new. Judas turned back at the threshold of that redemption, but Peter crossed it and clung to grace. In our own time, each of us faces a similar choice: will we imitate Judas or Peter? Even if we are deeply involved in church work, if in our hearts we have begun to see Jesus as “incomprehensible” or “useless for my plans,” we must examine ourselves. If we find such an attitude within, this is the perfect moment to enter “The Path of Repentance and Salvation.” Pastor David Jang cautions that no matter how earnestly we pray or fast during Lent, if we fail to empty ourselves of our hidden sin and greed, our religious activities may be hollow.
On the other hand, if during Lent we humbly confess our sins and deeply reflect on the cross, we can be reborn. When we truly perceive how vast the Lord’s forgiveness is and how unwavering His love is, we choose Peter’s path rather than Judas’s. We hear afresh the voice of Jesus saying, “Return to Me, for I still love you,” whether through the church, His Word, or the Holy Spirit’s inner prompting. The question is whether we will turn away from that voice and go into the night, or whether we will respond with tears of repentance and welcome the morning light of a new beginning.
Hence, Judas’s betrayal offers us the decisive lesson that humans may at any moment turn their backs on love, yet at any moment they can also repent and receive salvation. Pastor David Jang underscores that the essence of the Christian life boils down to “daily laying our sins before the Lord, longing for His grace, and obeying Him in our actions.” The church’s mission is to lead people onto the path of repentance and salvation. Believers must admonish one another in love, sometimes pointing out sins that hurt to hear, and pray together for restoration. Where such communal love abides, even those who stumble or fall into doubt can come back.
Accordingly, the dramatic narrative of betrayal in John 13 places us all on trial. Do we truly trust in Jesus’ love? When His words and ways challenge our comfort or run counter to worldly logic, will we still follow Him? Or will we echo Judas and conclude, “This isn’t profitable for me,” turning away? And even if we do fall, will we repent like Peter or remain in regret like Judas? During Lent, Pastor David Jang encourages us to weigh these questions carefully and remember that “anyone who embraces the cross and repents can find the path to salvation.”
Each person’s struggles differ—some wrestle with finances, others with a hunger for recognition or power, and still others with painful wounds from the church itself. Any of these can bring us to the brink of betrayal. But the outcome is the same: without repentance—owning our sin and determining to leave it behind—we cannot share the joy of salvation. “Salvation is already opened by God, but actually experiencing it depends entirely on our response,” says Pastor David Jang, a statement that remains timely for believers today.
Through Judas, we learn the urgency of spiritual vigilance, and through Peter, we glimpse the hope of restoration. The church must consistently uphold both lessons, embracing those who stand at the crossroads between these two paths and guiding them toward repentance. Lent is the season when we focus most intensely on this work. Since the cross and resurrection lie at the heart of our faith, meditating on them will reveal both our sinfulness and the magnitude of Jesus’ love. If we hold fast to that love and bow in repentance, we will share in salvation. As Pastor David Jang often says, “If Judas had returned to the Lord, even at the last moment, he too would have experienced the grace that Peter knew.” Yet Judas sealed his own doom by shutting that door himself. Why would we repeat such folly?
In conclusion, the story of Judas’s betrayal teaches us three core truths: first, “the place of betrayal that turns away from love” lurks close at hand; second, “the final admonition” can be rejected by the stubborn human heart; and third, “the path of repentance and salvation” remains open nonetheless. Pastor David Jang sees these three realities shining through John 13:20–30. Immediately after Jesus declares that “to receive the one I send is to receive Me,” He announces His betrayal. Judas leaves into the night, yet through the cross, salvation is granted to all who repent. Holding firmly to this gospel message, the church can glean profound lessons from Judas’s failure and discover uplifting hope in Peter’s restoration—hope that takes practical shape in “repentance and obedience.” This is the challenge and promise offered to believers during Lent. As Pastor David Jang consistently reminds us, “At any moment, we can become either Peter or Judas. Ultimately, our path depends on our own choice.” And if we choose repentance and embrace Jesus’ love, we shall encounter not a night of betrayal, but the morning of resurrection.