1. The World of Rest That Opens After the Cross and the Meaning of the Law
Pastor David Jang emphasizes that when we deeply meditate on John 19:31–42, which describes the aftermath of Jesus Christ’s death, we see that the event of the cross does not simply end in a tragic death. In particular, the mention in the passage of “it was the day of Preparation” and “that Sabbath was a high day” is quite significant, he explains. This indicates that the day Jesus died was not only Friday—namely the day of preparation for the Sabbath—but also specifically the day of preparation for the Passover. At that time, Jewish people counted days starting at 6:00 p.m., so Jesus was crucified during the day on Friday, and according to both their law and tradition, they could not allow the bodies to remain on the crosses after sunset. Deuteronomy 21:23 states, “Anyone who is hung on a tree is under God’s curse,” and even if someone is considered cursed, their body must not remain on the tree overnight; it must be removed the same day so as not to defile the land. The Jews meticulously adhered to this rule. Hence, before sunset they approached Pilate, asking for the legs of those crucified to be broken so they could die faster and be removed.
Under Roman custom, criminals were often left on the cross for an extended time, sometimes even after death, with their bodies unburied and exposed to be consumed by wild animals. But the Jews, anticipating both the Sabbath and the Passover, did not want their “holy land” to be defiled by such a spectacle. Therefore, they opted for the brutal method of breaking the legs of those not yet dead so that death would come quickly.
Pastor David Jang focuses on this paradox in the Jews’ behavior. Under the pretext of keeping the Law, they subjected those who were already in agony on the cross to a further act of violence. Outwardly, they seemed to show religious zeal in observing the Sabbath and preserving the land’s holiness, but in reality, they completely misunderstood the true meaning of “rest” and “holiness,” persisting in violent actions devoid of humanity. Pastor David Jang calls such people “those who cling to the shell of the Law but miss the true path of life.” The Law they so strictly guarded was at the level of external ritual alone; they did not understand the heart of God, His love, and the grace of the Messiah that lay at the Law’s core.
However, paradoxically, it is precisely through their demand for “formal Law-keeping” that Jesus was made to die sooner, thereby fulfilling the redemptive work in which He became “the Passover Lamb.” John’s Gospel explicitly states that Jesus’ bones were not broken. This alludes to the words of Numbers 9:12—“They shall not break any of its bones” regarding the Passover lamb—and Exodus 12:46, which likewise commands that the bones of the Passover lamb not be broken. These are fulfilled in Jesus. Although He died on the cross, His bones were not broken, indicating that Jesus is the true Passover Lamb who fulfills the entire Law. Because of His death, the Old Testament sacrificial system is no longer necessary, and sinners now have a new path to salvation and a world of rest opened to them. Pastor David Jang emphasizes here that “the suffering of Friday” and “the Sabbath” are not separate incidents; rather, in Christ they form a process leading to true rest. The death of Jesus is not merely an event ending in darkness and despair but becomes, instead, the prelude inviting humanity into genuine rest.
Yet, in order to keep the Sabbath thoroughly, the Jews made full use of the “day of Preparation.” Since they did not want to do any sort of “work” on the Sabbath, they used Friday—the day before the Sabbath—as a day of preparation, doing everything that needed to be done in advance. Pastor David Jang notes that “diligently observing the preparation day” itself is not inherently bad. In fact, spiritually staying awake and dedicating oneself to preparing for the Sabbath can be an excellent posture of faith. The problem, however, was that their keeping of the day of Preparation remained at the level of “formal observance” alone, with no regard whatsoever for the human suffering of those crucified, nor any recognition that Jesus was the true Messiah. Ultimately, they were caught in self-contradiction: on the one hand, they were trying to be meticulous about keeping the Sabbath holy, yet on the other hand, they insisted that Jesus be killed off swiftly. In today’s terms, Pastor David Jang suggests that this is reminiscent of “religious hypocrisy”—showing outward diligence in faith while trampling upon humanity and paying no attention to God’s heart.
The soldiers, complying with the Jews’ request, broke the legs of the two criminals crucified alongside Jesus. When they approached Jesus to do likewise, they found He was already dead. Then one soldier pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, from which, as John testifies, “blood and water came out.” Pastor David Jang stresses that this “blood and water” cannot be reduced merely to a physiological or medical phenomenon but carries essential theological and spiritual significance. Blood signifies the forgiveness of sins, and water symbolizes purity and life. In church tradition, this has been understood as pointing to baptism (water) and the Lord’s Supper (blood), indicating that Jesus’ death grants us eternal atonement and purification. The flowing out of water and blood demonstrates that the atoning work of the cross is not merely a single event but is the fountainhead of new life in Christ. Pastor David Jang proclaims with emphasis that through the incident of water and blood flowing out, we received the grace of rebirth in baptism and the grace of fellowship in the Eucharist.
In other Gospels, it is recorded that “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” In relation to this, Pastor David Jang teaches that the tearing of this curtain symbolizes the removal of the barrier between God and humanity. In Old Testament times, even the high priest could not enter the Most Holy Place whenever he wanted; it was permitted only on specific occasions such as the Day of Atonement. But because of Jesus’ death on the cross, that veil was torn, and now anyone may boldly enter the Holy of Holies through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19). Thus, the event of the cross is the definitive moment that reconciles God and humanity, and this true rest is made possible only through that reconciliation. In other words, because Jesus died on the day before the Sabbath, we have received not a “legalistic Sabbath” but a “Messianic Sabbath,” namely liberation from the power of sin and death and the gift of intimate fellowship with God.
“ They will look on him whom they have pierced” (John 19:37) also cites Zechariah 12:10, wherein it was prophesied that the Messiah would be pierced, and the people who look upon him would mourn deeply. By noting the piercing of Jesus’ side on the cross, John’s Gospel demonstrates that even this prophecy from Zechariah was fulfilled. Pastor David Jang stresses that Jesus’ death was neither accidental nor random but part of God’s redemptive plan already foretold in the Old Testament. Even though He suffered the most horrific death on the cross, the manner and results of His suffering perfectly accorded with God’s Word: “not one of His bones was broken,” “His side was pierced, causing blood and water to flow,” and “ultimately, the prophecy is fulfilled.” These facts are conclusive proof that Jesus truly is the Messiah, the Redeemer of all humanity.
Consequently, Pastor David Jang underscores that Jesus’ death and burial, events that followed the cross, do not signify a “final ending” but rather a “new beginning” leading to resurrection and rest. Jesus was crucified on the day of Preparation (Friday), lay in the tomb throughout the Sabbath day (Saturday), and it was right after that Sabbath that the dawn of the resurrection arrived. This is not merely Jesus’ personal resurrection; rather, it is an event that opens an eternal pathway of rest to all who believe in Him—breaking the chains of sin and death. At this point, Pastor David Jang poses a question to his readers: “Are we still in a place where we condemn and exclude others according to the letter of the Law? Even though we know the love of the cross and the joy of the resurrection life, are we still bound to externalities, failing to enter the true rest offered by the Lord?” He urges believers to enter into the “new rest” Jesus has prepared, clarifying that this rest is the true salvation God has ordained, the reality to which the Old Testament was pointing, and the life that resides in Christ.
2. Joseph of Arimathea, Nicodemus, and the Path of True Service
Pastor David Jang next examines the roles of Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus as recorded in John 19:38–42 to clarify the significance of the process of Jesus’ burial. During Jesus’ public ministry—even at times when He enjoyed substantial popularity—these men had been “secret disciples” who did not follow Jesus openly. Joseph of Arimathea was a member of the Sanhedrin, and Nicodemus was also a Jewish ruler, one who had come to Jesus by night (John 3). Because they belonged to the Jewish religious elite, it was difficult for them to publicly acknowledge Jesus as Messiah or side with Him, as doing so would tarnish their reputations and bring serious disadvantages.
Yet after the crucifixion, they made a bold decision. They went to Pilate to request Jesus’ body. They placed Him in a new tomb that had never been used and embalmed His body with about a hundred pounds (30–35 kilograms) of myrrh and aloes, wrapping it carefully in linen cloths. Pastor David Jang calls this scene “a late form of service, yet a courageous and beautiful dedication.” Taking the body of someone executed on a cross was intrinsically risky. They could face scrutiny from Roman authorities, condemnation from Jewish leaders, and harsh criticism from the crowd. Still, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus overcame their fears, visited Pilate, retrieved Jesus’ body, and provided Him with a formal and honorable burial.
John’s Gospel emphasizes that this tomb was “a new tomb.” In Jewish tradition, it was common to bury the dead in family tombs or tombs used multiple times. Here, however, Jesus was laid in a tomb no one had previously used, highlighting a distinctiveness that foreshadows the resurrection. Pastor David Jang points out that the large quantity of spices—myrrh and aloes, totaling around a hundred pounds—is a notable detail. It indicates a level of extravagance rarely seen in ordinary funerals, effectively treating Jesus as a “most honorable person.” At the same time, the fact that this grand homage was offered only at the time of burial underscores a certain regret. When Jesus was alive, these men had not provided visible support. When Jesus was being tried before the Sanhedrin or handed over to Pilate for execution, at least one of them, as a Sanhedrin member, might have spoken out or testified to His innocence. However, they remained silent, too afraid of losing their status or position. Only after Jesus died did they finally arrange an expensive tomb and spices to show their respect and faith. Pastor David Jang refers to this as “devotion that missed the perfect timing,” but he also praises them for not abandoning their desire to serve the Lord completely.
At this point, Pastor David Jang recalls the story of the women who provided Jesus with a seamless garment (see John 19:23–24) and in parallel passages, how some of the women poured perfume on Him during His life. These women gave generously of their love and resources to Jesus while He was still alive, and they followed Him all the way to the cross. By contrast, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus disappeared when the dangers mounted but finally appeared after Jesus had died. Which dedication is greater? Pastor David Jang asserts, “Of course both are precious,” but acknowledges that offering direct care and devotion to the living Lord is far more meaningful. No matter how splendid a funeral or how impressive a tomb one provides after a person dies, the individual can no longer receive tangible comfort in this world. But the love and devotion expressed while they are alive brings immediate joy and solace to that person. And so it is with the Lord, who rejoices in and values the service and dedication we give Him during our lifetime.
Pastor David Jang strongly declares, “Our faith must respond to the risen Lord right now.” Although Jesus died and rose again 2,000 years ago, if we truly believe Him to be a living and active Savior in the present, then our faith must manifest itself in practical ways “here and now.” Still today, many people are like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, holding back from openly dedicating themselves to the Lord because they fear the judgment of those around them or don’t want to forfeit their public reputation. Only when circumstances change dramatically, or after someone has passed away, do they come forward, presenting flowers to declare, “I held such great respect for that person.” Yet, by that point, it is too late. The opportunity for genuine fellowship has vanished. Therefore, Pastor David Jang teaches that “the most precious thing we can give, the highest form of service we can offer Jesus, must be done now.”
That said, we should not dismiss Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus’ actions outright. Even if it was late, their “courageous burial service” was a fruit of the profound realization they gained after witnessing the cross. Having seen Jesus pour out blood and water to the point of death, they conquered their fears and approached Pilate. This was surely no easy choice. Publicly honoring one who had received the penalty of crucifixion could strike a fatal blow to the reputation of those who were religious leaders and council members. But the conviction that “this man truly was the Son of God and the genuine Messiah” was now burning in their hearts. For that reason, they were prepared to face whatever losses might come in order to pay honor to Jesus’ body. Pastor David Jang describes this as the power of the cross that “draws all people to Himself” (John 12:32). Before the cross, worldly status, prestige, or self-interest are utterly dwarfed, leaving only sincere faith.
Moreover, at this point they did not anticipate the resurrection. So they prepared linen cloths and large quantities of myrrh and aloes for a corpse. But three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, rendering these burial items practically unnecessary. This underscores the astonishing nature of the resurrection and how God’s plan of salvation exceeds human expectation. Pastor David Jang remarks, “Even if humans prepare the most lavish burial items and the finest linen cloths for a corpse, the power of the resurrection renders them superfluous.” Still, God does not discard such seemingly “unnecessary” acts of service as meaningless; He esteems the heart behind them. In John 20, Jesus emerges from the tomb to appear before His disciples, leaving only the folded linen cloths behind. Although Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus had meant well in covering Jesus’ body with spices and linen, Jesus overcame death itself, thereby nullifying “the entire premise of a funeral.”
This event brings to mind the contrast Pastor David Jang likes to draw between “dead faith vs. living faith.” He warns that if our religious life is confined to rituals, institutions, and formalities—without genuine fellowship and obedience to the living Christ—then it becomes no more than “a gesture of honoring a corpse with linen cloths and spices” after death. Even if we attend church, participate in services, and give offerings, if these actions are not “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) arising from genuine trust and love for the risen Christ, they become mere shells of religion. Hence what we need is “practical and present devotion before the Lord, who is still alive.” Even if that gift seems small or looks meager now, the Lord greatly delights in a sacrifice of love offered in the present.
At the same time, Pastor David Jang reminds us, “Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus did not merely end up lamenting that they were late; they offered the best devotion they could in the situation that remained.” And through God’s grace, their decision and courage have been recorded in Scripture for all eternity. Likewise, we may have regrets about past missed opportunities, but the Lord welcomes us when we turn our hearts to Him now. Each person has a different turning point in their faith journey, but ultimately, the only way back to the Lord is through the cross and the resurrection. The crucial point is “the present.” That is why Pastor David Jang insists, “As long as we still breathe and can hear the gospel, we must surrender our lives and hearts in worship and dedication.”
Meanwhile, we can also note the symbolic significance of the “new tomb” the text highlights. John deliberately mentions “a new tomb, in which no one had yet been laid.” Pastor David Jang notes that this prepared the way for Jesus’ resurrection to be revealed without any confusion. If the tomb had already been used by someone else, all sorts of questions or misunderstandings could have arisen about whose resurrection it was. By rising from a “new tomb,” the Lord eradicated any possibility of confusion. Pastor David Jang further interprets this “new tomb” as signifying the “grace of new creation.” Although Jesus entered a place of death, He emerged triumphantly, showing us a foretaste of the incorruptible, eternal life. It visually portrays the core truth of the gospel that in Christ we become “new creations” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
In the end, John 19:31–42 provides a detailed depiction of events following Jesus’ death, filled with astonishing paradoxes and grace. Between the suffering of Friday and the Sabbath, instead of complete “despair,” we see the redemptive work where Christ’s blood and water flow out and the hidden disciples summon the courage to serve Him. The crucified Jesus becomes the Passover Lamb who fulfills the Law, the very substance of the rest people did not recognize, and He transforms the cross, once the sign of condemnation and curse, into a symbol of salvation and grace. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus’ service, on the other hand, reminds us that we must not miss the “right time” to serve the living Lord. At the same time, it offers comfort and encouragement: “Even if we come late, God does not reject our sincere devotion.”
Wrapping up his exposition of this passage, Pastor David Jang proposes two directions for believers. First, do not remain stuck in “external Law-keeping” but truly live out the love of the cross. The Jews’ effort to keep the Sabbath so meticulously—yet also asking for the legs of the crucified to be broken—teaches us how religious zeal can devolve into acts that violate our common humanity. Therefore, faith is only perfected when we adhere to the essence of God’s Law: love. Second, “offer worship and service to the living Lord without delay.” Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus eventually sought out Jesus and found courage, teaching us that whenever a person decides for the Lord, God’s grace can work through that decision. Still, the more ideal path is to follow the example of the women who faithfully accompanied Jesus and lavished love upon Him during His lifetime. This is the “living sacrifice” that is intimately tied to the power of the resurrection, the form of worship God most delights in.
Hence, John 19:31–42 demonstrates that Jesus’ crucifixion and death in no way signal the end of hope; rather, it compels believers today to avoid missing the time and object of our true devotion. Pastor David Jang affirms, “When the Lord died on the cross, the gate of life was already thrown open.” He also states, “While the Lord lay in the tomb, the new history of the resurrection and the new rest were already in preparation.” And he exhorts us: “If we are still rejecting Christ or still refusing to give Him our wholehearted commitment, we must do so before it is too late—offering Him our treasures now, when He is alive.” This, Pastor David Jang declares, is the very core of the gospel that John 19 proclaims and the true path of faith we must hold onto as we stand before the cross of Christ and in the living hope of the resurrection.
By way of conclusion, Pastor David Jang once again poses a question: “Will we, like Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, end up offering significant devotion after the fact, burdened by regret? Or will we bring joy to the Lord’s heart by giving Him our gratitude and love right now, while He is alive?” Even a belated dedication can become precious in the grace of God, but the Lord hopes we will choose to walk with Him this very day, demonstrating love in action. If we have already received the grace of the cross, we should no longer delay but enter with joy into His resurrection life, following the Lord’s will in practical love, consecrating both our ‘day of Preparation’ and our ‘Sabbath,’ and indeed our entire lives, unto His holiness. Only then can we truly uphold the Law’s essence of “love,” partake of the new covenant Jesus established, and be continually renewed in the Holy Spirit as authentic worshipers. This is the central message Pastor David Jang passionately conveys through his exposition of John 19:31–42 and the gospel truth that all believers must ponder daily.