This is a piece that distills the core message of Pastor David Jang’s “Cross” sermon delivered during Holy Week, and reflects upon it more deeply by drawing parallels to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Pietà.
I. The Meaning of the Cross in Pastor David Jang’s Holy Week Sermon
1. The Background of Holy Week and the Theological Context of the Cross
Holy Week is a profoundly special time commemorating and meditating on the Passion of Jesus Christ. Traditionally beginning with Palm Sunday and reaching its climax on Easter Sunday morning, this period includes Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane, Pilate’s trial, crucifixion, burial, and ultimately the Resurrection. Within Christian faith, these sequential events constitute the heart of Jesus’ redemptive work for humanity, and they form the foundational confession of believers who profess Jesus as “Savior.”
Each year during Holy Week, David Jang (Pastor David Jang) preaches about “The Way of the Cross” that Jesus walked. Yet his sermons do more than merely recount historical events or doctrinal knowledge of the past; they connect to the issues of our contemporary world and our personal lives today. He thus poses the question: “Can we apply the event of the Cross tangibly to our lives?” He explores this core theme primarily through Philippians 2:5–8 (“He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross”).
- From an Instrument of Roman Punishment to a Symbol of Salvation
Under Roman rule in Jesus’ time, crucifixion was the most degrading, shameful method of execution, reserved for the worst of criminals, truly a “tree of curse.” Yet through the death of Jesus Christ, this brutal instrument was reinterpreted as the “sign of salvation” for humanity and a beacon of hope—a striking example of the gospel’s paradox. Pastor David Jang underscores that “the very fact that God lowered Himself to the lowest place is the heart of the gospel,” stressing that the Incarnation and the Cross must never be viewed in isolation from each other. - The Pinnacle of “Self-Emptying”
The sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross may be understood as “the event in which God Himself, laying down His divine privilege, directly entered into the pain of sinners.” Rather than fixing humanity’s sin problem “from some lofty throne in heaven,” Jesus chose to become human, to plunge into our painful reality, and ultimately to atone for sin through one of the most agonizing methods of execution. In this regard, Pastor Jang repeatedly affirms, “The ‘kenosis,’ or self-emptying, revealed on Jesus’ Cross is a grace from God that surpasses human comprehension.”
2. The Core Message of the Holy Week Sermon
In his Holy Week sermons, Pastor David Jang repeatedly highlights three themes:
- the love of God,
- human sin and repentance,
- restoration through salvation.
- God’s Boundless Love
Few verses articulate God’s love more directly than “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (John 3:16). Pastor Jang describes God’s love on the Cross as “a love confirmed in the most horrifying form of death.” He urges believers not to view Jesus’ suffering merely in a sentimental way, but to truly “participate in the heart” of Jesus, who completed the painful journey of the Cross. It is only when one feels His pain as if present alongside Him that one experiences the Cross as a personal gift. - Human Sin and Frailty
The Holy Week narrative vividly exposes the sinfulness and duplicity of humanity. The crowd that shouted “Hosanna!” at Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem soon turned to cry “Crucify him!” Only days later. Even Jesus’ closest disciples betrayed Him or fled. Pastor Jang teaches that “in this story, we must see our own inner selves.” Genuine repentance starts with recognizing that the same capacity for sin resides within us, and admitting the gravity of that sin. - The Path to Restoration and Salvation
Had the crucifixion been the end, Christianity itself would not have emerged. Yet because the resurrection follows the Cross, Jesus’ suffering completes the work of salvation, and a “door to new life” is opened for believers. Pastor Jang underscores that “we cannot separate the suffering of the Cross from the glory of the Resurrection—together they form a single event.” Like two sides of the same coin, the Cross and the Resurrection announce that, through the Risen Lord who conquered death, the power of sin and the grave is broken, and eternal life is conferred.
3. The Spiritual and Practical Significance of the Cross
One distinguishing feature of Pastor David Jang’s Holy Week sermons is that he does not treat the Cross merely as an abstract theological concept or doctrinal truth, but as a driving force to transform our real lives. He calls believers to reflect on how the Cross can be applied in concrete ways at personal, communal, and cosmic levels.
- The Personal Dimension
On a personal level, standing before the Cross during Holy Week means first “experiencing a profound realization that I am a sinner.” When the fact that Jesus willingly paid the entire price on our behalf becomes an experiential reality—that is, “the true absolution of sin”—our souls are restored, and we taste genuine freedom. - The Communal Dimension
The Cross exemplifies the spirit of self-sacrifice and service, prompting believers to be more gracious, to serve one another, and to care for those in need. Particularly during Holy Week, Christians recall the scene in John 13, where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, and are urged to participate in “weeping with those who weep and bearing burdens together,” both within and outside the church. - The Cosmic Dimension
Jesus’ Crucifixion and Resurrection are not confined to a specific era or region; they possess an eschatological meaning that pervades the entire universe and all history. Pastor Jang references Revelation 21, which describes a “new heaven and a new earth,” declaring that the Cross will ultimately be fulfilled within God’s grand plan of salvation. This provides a strong hope that transcends present hardships.
II. Extended Meditation Centered on the Pietà: Suffering, Compassion, and the Tears of the Virgin
1. Overview of Michelangelo’s Pietà
Michelangelo (1475–1564), one of the foremost artists of the Renaissance, created the masterpiece known as the Pietàaround 1499 by meticulously carving a single block of marble. Housed inside St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, this sculpture depicts the still figure of Jesus just taken down from the Cross, held in the mourning embrace of the Virgin Mary.
The Italian word “pietà” means “mercy,” “compassion,” or “pity.” In medieval and Renaissance art, religious works portraying the suffering of Jesus and the Virgin Mary were a widespread tradition.
- A Masterpiece Carved from a Single Block of Marble
Michelangelo carved both Jesus and Mary out of one piece of marble, with remarkable detail in Mary’s flowing garments, Jesus’ limp arms, and the nail marks in His hands and feet. The softness of the figures and the artistry of the gentle curves, juxtaposed against the coldness of the marble, have won high acclaim in art history. This masterpiece demonstrates the exceptional artistic skill and spiritual insight Michelangelo brought to bear. - The Youthful Beauty of Mary
From a realistic standpoint, Mary would have been in her middle years by the time of Jesus’ death in His thirties. Yet in this work, she is depicted as young, pure, and idealized. Michelangelo explained that he wished to portray “the spiritual purity and sacredness of the Virgin Mary.” This echoes the “Stabat Mater” tradition, which emphasizes the sanctity of the grieving Mother Mary featured in the text of this famous Latin hymn. - Connection to the “Stabat Mater” Tradition
Among medieval liturgical music and poetry, the well-known Latin hymn “Stabat Mater Dolorosa” (“At the cross her station keeping”) commemorates the sorrowing Mother Mary standing beneath the Cross. It has long been chanted in Catholic tradition with solemn reverence.
Though the Pietà shows Mary actually holding Jesus’ body already taken down from the Cross (rather than standing at its foot), the overarching theme—Mary’s sorrow and compassion—strongly resonates with the essence of the “Stabat Mater” tradition. This tradition views Mary’s participation in Christ’s suffering as a source of profound empathy and devotion for believers meditating on the Cross.
2. The Significance of the Pietà During Holy Week
The Pietà envisions the moment of deepest sorrow, as Jesus’ body is laid in His Mother’s arms after being taken down from the Cross. Yet paradoxically, the emotional response evoked by this piece goes beyond grief to a sense of sublime awe and holiness.
- The Body of Jesus Taken Down from the Cross
For believers observing Holy Week, the depiction of Jesus’ body in the Pietà is far more than a lifeless corpse. It symbolizes “the Son of God, who assumed all of humanity’s sin and suffering,” now briefly held in the arms of Mary. Though crucifixion represents “a cruel form of death,” it also signifies the starting point of salvation in Christian faith—an inherent paradox visually testified to in the sculpture.
When Pastor David Jang urges people to “look upon the suffering Christ in your own life,” the imagery of the Pietàsummons both the raw horror and the solemn beauty of that scene, drawing believers into profound reflection. - The Sorrow and Compassion of the Virgin Mary
Traditionally, the Church has regarded Mary as “the Mother who witnessed and participated intimately in every step of the Lord’s life,” from His conception to His birth, ministry, passion, death, and resurrection. She remained closer to Him than any other.
In his Holy Week sermons, Pastor Jang stresses the importance of having “a heart that can truly observe the Lord’s suffering and weep with Him.” The Virgin Mary portrayed in the Pietà symbolically embodies that “heart that weeps alongside.”
Recalling John 19:25–27, where Mary and the disciples stand at the foot of the Cross, we too are challenged not to be “bystanders” of the Cross but “participants” in it. - The Intersection of Human Despair and Spiritual Hope
At first glance, the Pietà captures a definitive scene of “defeat and death.” It appears as if God’s Son was overpowered by the violence and sin of the world. Yet, from the Christian viewpoint, this is precisely the moment when “God’s hidden plan of salvation is displayed most dramatically.”
Pastor Jang emphasizes the “paradox of the Cross” when contemplating both the Cross and the Pietà. The very point of absolute despair is often where God opens the path to new life. Just as Mary’s expression in the Pietà is not steeped in total darkness, so does Holy Week contain within it the “seed of light” that will bloom into Easter morning.
3. Expanding Our Holy Week Meditation Through the Pietà
According to Pastor David Jang, our Holy Week meditations should be enriched, not only through Scripture and doctrine, but also via artistic expressions. The Pietà is a prime example.
- The Convergence of Artistic Experience and Spiritual Sensitivity
When we look upon the Pietà, we instinctively feel sorrow and empathy. A purely conceptual explanation cannot stir our emotions in the same way that this powerful sculpture does.
Pastor Jang suggests that while sermons, worship, praise, and prayer offer spiritual experiences, artistic works can broaden our spiritual sensibilities in a very tangible way. By allowing ourselves to be drawn into the tone of Holy Week through this visual engagement, we more vividly grasp Jesus’ suffering and the deep love of God. - Mary’s Maternal Love and the Heart of “God the Father”
On the surface, the Pietà highlights the mother-child relationship. Mary cradling the body of her dead Son is a moving display of human maternal love. Yet, from a faith perspective, it can also serve as a channel to contemplate “the heart of God the Father who gave His only Son.”
As John 3:16 states, God the Father gave His most precious Son to save humanity. That sacrifice was a far greater kind of “self-giving” than any parental love we can imagine. Pastor Jang refers to this as “the maternal aspect of God,” suggesting that by beholding Mary in the Pietà, we might also reflect on the suffering of the Father. - Practical Implications: The Expansion of Mercy and Compassion
The very word “pietà” means “mercy,” “compassion,” or “sympathy.” To truly recall Jesus’ sufferings and mourn with Him should move us beyond sorrow over Christ’s pain alone; it should lead us into “weeping with” those around us who suffer.
Pastor Jang explains that this is precisely why churches often engage in special prayer gatherings, acts of service, or relief work during Holy Week. Remembering the events of the Cross is not about focusing solely on Christ’s suffering, but about “joining in that suffering so that we may live as ‘little Christs’ in this world.”
Conclusion: Where the Cross Meets the Pietà
Throughout his Holy Week sermons, Pastor David Jang repeatedly declares that “the Cross is the core of the Christian gospel.” Bound together with Jesus’ Resurrection, the Cross guides us toward beholding “the One who conquered death and rose again,” ultimately completing the work of salvation.
Michelangelo’s Pietà, meanwhile, powerfully represents “the moment immediately following the Cross, with Jesus resting in Mary’s embrace,” prompting us not to overlook “the sorrow of the Virgin” and the dimension of “compassion that weeps alongside.” The crushing weight of humanity’s sin shouldered by Jesus and the tears of His mother both highlight the self-sacrificial will of God the Father.
Hence, the real meaning of Holy Week can be summarized as “deeply empathizing with Jesus’ suffering in our own lives and embodying that love in our actions.” When we realize that Jesus’ sacrifice on the Cross is “God’s unconditional love for me,” we gain the strength to humble ourselves and care for our neighbors, living out the Christlike life. The maternal, compassionate countenance portrayed in the Pietà makes us all the more keenly aware that this love was expressed through real “physical suffering” and “a mother’s tears.”
Thus, when Pastor Jang’s Holy Week sermon meets the Pietà, believers experience a profound meditation where spirituality and art converge, transcending mere doctrine or knowledge. And the ultimate purpose lies in “truly tasting the victory of the Resurrection.” We do not simply celebrate Easter as an event, but continue it into our daily lives through a commitment to practice “the self-sacrificial love of the Cross.” This is the significance of Holy Week and the integrated message presented at its pinnacle by the Pietà.
“Out of sorrow grows mercy, which leads us into the life of the Resurrection.”
— Contemplating the Pietà and the love of the Cross during Holy Week
Reference Summary
- The core of Holy Week: A time to focus on God’s plan of salvation revealed through the suffering and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- David Jang’s sermon emphasis:
- Do not confine the Cross to mere historical or doctrinal realms; bring it into the reality of our daily lives.
- Center on Philippians 2:5–8 to highlight “self-emptying” and “incarnation.”
- Summarize under three themes: God’s love, humanity’s sin, and restoration through salvation.
- Artistic/Theological meaning of the Pietà:
- Michelangelo’s masterpiece depicting the body of Jesus laid in Mary’s arms.
- Ties to the “Stabat Mater” tradition, maternal perspective, and the theme of compassion.
- Expanding Holy Week meditation:
- Convergence of the Cross’s suffering and artistic experience, enhancing spiritual sensitivity.
- Reflecting on Mary’s sorrow, leading to compassionate action and empathy.
- Inspired by the paradox of the Cross-Resurrection, believers are moved to serve in the world.
All these elements remain within the biblical and theological framework leading from the Passion of Christ to the glory of the Resurrection, sparking profound spiritual awakening and prompting believers to decide upon practical action during Holy Week.