I. The Contrast Between Peter and Judas and the Necessity of Regeneration
The story of Peter and Judas is presented in striking contrast in John 13. During the Last Supper, when Jesus was with His disciples, both men were seated at the same table. Both were disciples of Jesus, listened to His teachings, witnessed His miracles, and stayed in the very presence of His love. Yet at a decisive moment, they took drastically different paths. Peter committed a grave sin by denying Jesus three times, but in the end, he repented and returned. Judas, on the other hand, betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and, failing to repent, ultimately ended his own life. Though they had the same Teacher and heard the same truth, one walked the path of dramatic restoration and grace, while the other chose a path leading to destruction.
Their stories teach us much about human frailty and the essence of faith. Both were disciples of Jesus, yet why did they diverge so sharply? In the foot-washing episode of John 13, Jesus says that “those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet.” Here, having “had a bath” symbolizes having experienced redemption from sin and having gained new life in the love of the Lord. It points to a state of having been “born again”—having a regenerative experience. Even though Peter would later deny the Lord three times, he ultimately recalled Christ’s unfathomable love, repented, and returned. Judas, however, had no experience of regeneration, so even though he had an opportunity to turn back, he did not fully surrender himself to the Lord and chose despair instead.
In another sermon, Rev. David Jang emphasizes, “Our weaknesses can be fundamentally transformed by the love of Jesus on the cross. But to enter into that world of love, one must first acknowledge his own sinfulness and be completely renewed through genuine regeneration.” This underscores the fundamental difference between Peter, who was able to return after sinning, and Judas, who spent considerable time in the Lord’s presence yet never truly accepted His love, ultimately choosing the path of destruction. Regeneration means being freed from the old self that was enslaved by sin and being born again solely through faith in the Lord’s love. Those who have experienced this will, even if they sin, eventually return to the Lord in repentance and find the path to restoration. But if one has not experienced regeneration, the weight of sin can crush them to the point of total self-destruction.
The story of Nicodemus in John 3 clarifies this point. Nicodemus was a leader and a scholar of the Law, yet Jesus told him, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” Without the actual transformation of being born of water and the Spirit—breaking free from the nature of sin and being reborn as a new person—one cannot experience the kingdom of God. This is precisely where the destinies of Peter and Judas diverged. When Jesus began washing His disciples’ feet, Peter at first did not understand and protested, “You shall never wash my feet.” But when Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you have no part with me,” Peter immediately responded, “Then, Lord, not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!” This scene shows that Peter was prepared, deep in his heart, to accept the sovereign love of Jesus. He was not a perfect person and would later commit a serious sin. However, because he was among those who had “had a bath,” he could stand back up on the foundation of his regenerated life.
Judas, on the other hand, heard Jesus’ teachings intellectually, but he never had a true regenerative experience. Possibly, he saw Jesus not as the Messiah but as a means to achieve his own ambitions or to serve political ends. From the Gospels, we can surmise that Judas was driven by greed and a self-righteous mindset. Even when he betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver, he was likely motivated more by the thought that “there may never be a better opportunity” rather than an awareness that “betraying the Lord is a sin I must never commit.” When the reality of his act set in afterward, he was overwhelmed by guilt and, rather than repent in the Lord’s love, he took his own life. This is the tragic outcome of someone who has not experienced regeneration.
In another sermon, Rev. David Jang insists, “True faith ultimately begins by forming a personal relationship with the Lord through regeneration. No matter how diligently you engage in religious activities, attend services, or serve in various ministries, if there is no fundamental rebirth, you will collapse when circumstances drastically change.” Indeed, Peter and Judas both heard countless teachings from Jesus as His disciples, but Judas resisted internal transformation. He never truly confessed Jesus in a personal way and continued living with himself as lord of his life. When faced with the weight of his guilt, he completely fell apart.
Thus, every human being is frail. Yet through regeneration, we can experience fundamental salvation and forgiveness. The contrast between Peter and Judas does not aim to say “whose sin was bigger or smaller.” Both committed grave sins of betrayal. However, one was already born again and knew the wondrous love of the Lord, so he was able to repent. The other did not know that love and ended up giving up on himself. The key lesson for us, then, is not to compare who sinned more or less, but to ask, “Am I truly receiving the Lord’s love and grace?”, “Have I genuinely experienced regeneration?”, and “When I stumble, do I have a foundational faith alive within me, on which I can return to the Lord?”
In reality, regeneration is not a one-time emotional experience; rather, it remains continually effective in our daily lives. Even a regenerated person can still sin and, like Peter, commit grave mistakes. Yet someone who has been regenerated retains the pathway to repentance in the Lord’s love. Peter, though he was called the chief of the disciples and was very close to Jesus, denied Him at the critical moment, saying, “I do not know Him.” But later, when he locked eyes with the Lord, he wept bitterly and came to a fresh realization of the Lord’s love. Clinging to that love and repenting, he went on to fulfill his calling as an apostle. Judas ignored this path. Even though he had been in the same place with Jesus, he could not return because his unregenerate self ultimately prevented him from coming back.
This narrative prompts us to examine ourselves seriously. Have I truly experienced regeneration? Or have I been in church for a long time yet still try to use Jesus to fulfill my own ambitions or worldly goals? Do I rely on the Lord’s love, or am I depending on my own righteousness and merit so that, should I fall into sin, I might not be able to accept myself and end up in despair? Such questions make us ask if we are already “bathed” or if we remain “unbathed.” Without regeneration, like Judas, we could become trapped by the weight of sin and cross a point of no return.
Ultimately, regeneration goes beyond merely “attending church and reading the Bible.” It is the fundamental transformation whereby we truly believe in the gospel of the cross and resurrection, and our old self dies in Christ’s love so that we rise to new life. Once a person has gone through this transformation, even if they stumble into sin or get sucked into life’s pitfalls, the way of repentance is still open and the Lord’s compelling love can restore them. Peter experienced this truth firsthand. We, too, must have this experience—not just an increase in doctrinal knowledge, but a deep conviction in our hearts that “the Lord’s love can bring me back to life.” Without that conviction, we are never free from the risk of making the same choice Judas did.
If you have already been “bathed” by the Lord’s love, you must then wash your feet daily. Because of human frailty, we still get the dust of sin on our feet as we walk through life. Therefore, Jesus said that “those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet.” This is a life of daily repentance before the Lord, daily seeking His grace and renewing ourselves. Like Peter, though we may make mistakes, if we remember the Lord’s love, we can always return. Judas, however, avoided this path. He committed a terribly grave sin, was unable to bear the weight of it, and chose the extreme measure of suicide. As Jesus said, “It would be better for him if he had not been born” (Matt. 26:24). Indeed, his despair was an eternal darkness.
Hence, from the contrast between Peter and Judas, we sense the urgent necessity of being “born again.” If the old self remains intact and we have not truly accepted the Lord’s love—thus lacking the assurance of regeneration—when a critical moment comes, our choice may not differ from Judas’s. It is not church involvement or theological knowledge that saves us, but the fundamental transformation of our souls by the love of Jesus Christ, who died on the cross and rose again. This is the core message of John 3, John 13, Matthew 26, and other related passages. In various sermons, Rev. David Jang highlights this truth, saying, “A believer’s spiritual success stands on the foundation of regeneration, whereas religious activity without regeneration will eventually collapse.” This truth remains deeply applicable to us today.
II. Sin and Repentance, and the Power of Love
Another key reason why regeneration is necessary is that human beings are inevitably prone to sin. Peter was passionate for Jesus and firm in his confession of faith, yet when the critical moment came, he denied the Lord. Judas, with his loveless, self-centered faith, was blinded by money and betrayed Jesus. Both sinned. The crucial question, then, is why Peter repented but Judas did not.
Repentance means recognizing one’s sin and turning back to the Lord. Whether one avoids sin altogether or not, equally or even more important is “how one responds after having sinned.” If one is regenerated, knowing and trusting in the Lord’s love, they will be able to stand up from the place of sin, saying, “Lord, I have sinned. Please forgive me.” Peter came to a profound understanding of his sin when he met the Lord’s gaze, and he wept bitterly. He then encountered the risen Christ and was restored.
When Judas realized the gravity of his sin, he did not return to the Lord but ended his own life. It was not that his sin was worse than Peter’s but that he never truly believed in Christ’s love. In another sermon, Rev. David Jang says, “The greatest trap that keeps a sinner from returning to God is the devil’s accusation.” Satan approaches those who have sinned, whispering continually, “You have committed an unforgivable sin. The Lord will never accept you again.” If one fails to discern this lie, he can end up like Judas, overcome by despair, choosing self-destruction. True repentance, however, pierces through Satan’s lies. The gospel tells us that “even if you are a sinner, the Lord waits for you to come back; just like the father who looks for his prodigal son from a distance, runs out to meet him, and embraces him” (Luke 15). That is the good news.
Peter repented in anguish, yet his repentance was grounded in the belief that “the Lord still loves me.” As a result, though he had sinned, he clung to the Lord’s love, which is greater than sin. Thus, he was reborn into a completely new person, taking up the Lord’s work. Judas failed to see that path and sank into despair. Therefore, we must not take repentance lightly. Repeatedly sinning is a problem, but if we do not turn away from sin in the end, it opens the door to genuine destruction.
Rev. David Jang explains, “Repentance is not just a momentary feeling of regret or guilt, but a resolve to turn away from sin and pursue righteousness.” It does not end with a simple, “I did wrong; I’m sorry,” but rather changes the entire direction of one’s life. This is shown clearly in how Peter responded to the foot-washing incident, and later by his life as a whole. After denying Jesus, Peter was engulfed in guilt, but when he encountered the risen Lord, he openly confessed his love three times—matching the three times he had denied Him—and the Lord then restored his calling, saying, “Feed my sheep.” Such a repentance that transcends past sin and moves forward is what made this possible.
Hence, a regenerated person can come boldly before the cross whenever they sin. Because they trust that the Lord’s love will hold them, they do not remain trapped in shame and fear; instead, they return to Him. This is what Jesus’ statement “those who have had a bath need only to wash their feet” means. The one who has been fundamentally cleansed (regenerated) may still soil their feet with the dirt of sin in daily life. In those moments, we wash our feet anew through repentance. This is the principle seen in Peter’s life. Peter continued to have failures and missteps, but he never relinquished the path of turning back.
Unlike Peter, Judas did not have a foundational experience of “regeneration.” Had he truly witnessed the glory and love of the Lord such that his old self was put to death and he was born again, then he, too, might have eventually found a way back to restoration. The fundamental power behind Peter’s restoration was the love of Jesus, which is greater than sin. The Old Testament also shows that David committed serious sins (as in the Bathsheba incident), yet he received God’s forgiveness and was used again because he genuinely repented. Anyone can sin, but whether that sin leads the soul to eternal ruin or becomes an opportunity to repent and be forgiven depends on our response. And that response is undergirded by faith in the Lord’s love and the experience of regeneration.
In yet another sermon, Rev. David Jang teaches, “We are weak and can stumble, but it is precisely when we have fallen that we kneel before the cross in repentance and experience anew how vast and deep God’s love is. This is genuine repentance, from which we rise once more as the people of the Lord.” It is not enough simply to strive not to sin—though that too is important. Yet because we are not perfect, there will be times when we fall despite our efforts. At that moment, repenting and returning is of paramount importance. As Peter’s example shows, repenting and rising again to serve as God’s person is the blessed path.
Jesus loves sinners to the very end. Even Judas was treated like a disciple before his betrayal, sharing a meal at the Last Supper. Jesus would have wanted him to turn back. Likewise, when Peter betrayed Him, Jesus restored him again, meeting him in John 21 and asking three times, “Do you love me?” Then He entrusted Peter once more with leading the disciples. This is the love of the Lord. Even if a person sins, He does not abandon them entirely, but when the sinner repents, He makes them new. This is the power of the gospel.
Therefore, after committing sin, the most crucial thing is repentance. And what makes repentance possible is trust in a love greater than our sin. If we do not lose sight of this, no sin is beyond repentance and no discouragement can keep us from rising again. But if we do not know this love, even a heavy sense of guilt can bring us to the point of complete collapse, as in Judas’ case. Without regeneration, repentance is difficult. An unregenerate heart still lives with self on the throne, asking, “Can I really be forgiven after committing such a great sin?” Overwhelmed by self-accusation, a person in such a state is inclined to give up on returning altogether.
Jesus said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners” (Mark 2:17). Repentance occurs when our recognition of sin meets our faith in the Lord who forgives sin. This is the core message of the church, and it is a point Rev. David Jang consistently stresses in his sermons. The church should not only condemn sinners but also embrace those who repent and help them begin anew. That starting point is “turning away from sin and coming back to the Lord,” undergirded by His unfailing love.
That Peter had “already had a bath” means he had experienced this love. Because he had internally grasped the forgiveness and saving power revealed on the cross, he became fundamentally a new man. Judas, however, did not truly accept that love. Though he had opportunities to repent, he ended up believing in his own despair rather than the Lord’s forgiveness. In this, we see an important triangle of “sin,” “repentance,” and “love.” Sin can befall anyone, but through repentance, we can return to the path of righteousness—and what enables that repentance is the Lord’s love. Knowing this, we neither give up on ourselves nor despair when we sin, but we can stand up again like Peter.
III. The Reality of the Life That Dies and Is Born Again
Regeneration, repentance, and faith in the Lord’s love all converge in the experience of “dying and rising again.” Peter’s repentance entailed the breaking of his old self and his rebirth as a new person. Judas rejected that process of death and resurrection. Consequently, he was overwhelmed by guilt and committed suicide. The crux of the gospel is that one must die to be reborn. Just as Jesus died on the cross and rose again, we must crucify our old selves so that we may rise again to new life.
The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 2:20, confesses, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This verse best explains the essence of regeneration. The old state, in which I was the lord of my own life, dies on the cross, and now it is Christ who lives within me. That is dying and being born again. Therefore, in Romans 8, Paul declares, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” and he is certain that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Regeneration is the source of this conviction. Because Peter, Paul, and all the early church believers held onto this truth, they were unshakable in proclaiming the gospel despite fierce persecution.
However, there can be no resurrection without death. According to Philippians 2, Jesus “emptied himself by taking the form of a servant… becoming obedient to the point of death.” Only by passing through that process did He attain the glory of the resurrection. Likewise, if we do not experience the crucifixion of our old selves, we cannot partake in the resurrection of regeneration. Rev. David Jang often notes, “Modern individuals fear the process of complete self-denial and find the path of the cross too difficult, so they give up easily. Yet the true path of faith necessarily goes through suffering and death before tasting the joy of life.” That is the path Peter walked, and indeed it is the path all true Christians must follow.
Initially, Peter boldly claimed he would go to prison or even die for the Lord’s sake. But when Jesus was actually arrested, fear overtook him, and he denied the Lord three times, revealing that his old self had not yet died. Through that failure and through encountering the risen Jesus, Peter was shattered and reborn. This is why, in the Book of Acts, we see him transformed from a coward into a courageous apostle who would not back down even when imprisoned or facing martyrdom for preaching about Jesus. The old Peter had died, and now Christ’s life was moving powerfully within him.
Judas was the opposite. After betraying Jesus, he realized how grave his sin was. But because that burden was so immense, instead of his old self being broken so that he might be reborn, he chose self-centered despair. The one that needed to die was his old self, yet Judas destroyed his very existence, choosing suicide. This illustrates how rejecting regeneration leads to being trapped between guilt and self-destruction, with no way out.
Thus, the life of regeneration follows Jesus’ example of “denying oneself and taking up the cross.” In our daily lives, we face constant demands for self-denial and self-sacrifice—whether we are called to forgive others, to lay down our own desires, or to devote our time and resources in service to our church community and those around us. It is difficult to walk the path of the cross if the old self remains alive, murmuring, “Why should I pay the price?” or “Why should I forgive that person?” However, a regenerated person, already “crucified with Christ,” trusts that Christ now lives within them. Therefore, they accept that “it is right for me to follow this path for the Lord’s sake.” Those who have experienced Christ’s love realize that this path of love is, in fact, the way of life.
Moreover, the regenerated life empowers us to overcome “Satan’s accusations.” The devil might say, “Think of how terrible your past sins are. How can you possibly be loved by the Lord?” or “Look how dire your circumstances are. Are you sure God is really caring for you?” A person who has not been regenerated can hardly resist such temptations, but one who has already “bathed” in the Lord’s love clings to the truth that “nothing can separate us from the love of Christ” (Rom. 8:35ff). Therefore, even if they fall, they will not remain in guilt or abandon their faith.
In one sermon, Rev. David Jang points out, “Today, within the church itself, there are those who resemble Peter and those who resemble Judas. Both profess to follow Jesus, but some live by the Lord’s love in their regenerated lives, while others rely on self-righteousness or self-interest and eventually depart from the Lord. The critical question is whether you are truly regenerated and whether you are genuinely living a regenerated life.” This applies directly to our present reality. We may be active in church and ministry, yet if we have not died and risen to new life, our faith will crumble when faced with trials. But the regenerated person will cling to the Lord even in hardship or persecution.
A regenerated life is one that trusts in the Lord’s grace, which is far greater than our works. Judas trusted in his own judgment and righteousness, ultimately causing him to crumble. He did not bring his guilt to the Lord but chose suicide. Peter committed a grave sin, but he believed in a love greater than his sin. Consequently, he returned to the Lord, ultimately emerging as a leading apostle in the early church. We all carry within us the same potential for betrayal that Judas had, as well as the same capacity for repentance that Peter demonstrated. The difference lies in whether we have truly experienced the Lord’s love through regeneration and whether the old self has died so that Christ lives in us.
Jesus told Nicodemus that one must be “born again” to see the kingdom of God. The word “see” here goes beyond mere visual perception—it implies truly experiencing and partaking in God’s kingdom. Without regeneration—without passing through the experience of death and resurrection—God’s kingdom and its glory remain hidden. To someone who has not died with Christ, the way of the cross appears foolish, and the Lord’s love seems hollow. But to the regenerated, that same way is recognized as the true path of life. Hence, they refuse to abandon it even when trials arise.
Furthermore, a regenerated life becomes even richer within the church community. As we share the truth of love, accept one another, and serve each other, our old selves are continually broken down and our new selves grow. The church is not a gathering of perfect people; like Peter, every believer is vulnerable to sin. Yet because of the Lord’s love, each can rise again, confirming and expanding regeneration on a daily basis. Judas’ tragedy was not simply that he sinned, but that he did not return to the community of the Lord in repentance. If he had brought his guilt to Jesus, he might have been restored like Peter. Instead, he clung to despair and destroyed himself, crossing a bridge from which there was no return.
Likewise, such a decisive moment can come to any of us. We all sin in big or small ways and sometimes face serious failures. In those moments, we must ask ourselves, “Have I truly been cleansed by grace?” If we have truly been regenerated, then no matter how severe the sin or failure, we hold on to the hope that we can return to the Lord. For we believe that Jesus took our sin to the cross and still loves us beyond measure. It is this belief that enables us to confess our sins, repent, and start anew. But those who lack regeneration might feel trapped, thinking they cannot emerge from their sin, and succumb to despair, like Judas.
Rev. David Jang notes in another sermon, “Satan makes you doubt God’s love, telling every sinner, ‘It’s already over for you.’ But the Holy Spirit says, ‘Though you have sinned, come back. Repent, and you can live again.’ The church’s role is to help sinners stand on the Lord’s forgiveness and love, in this spiritual battle.” This is also each believer’s responsibility. We must first experience regeneration ourselves, so that when we see another’s sin, we do not only condemn but help that person repent, become renewed, and be embraced by love. After all, that is exactly how the Lord forgave us and gave us another chance.
Lastly, a regenerated life bears witness to the power of the gospel in the world. Peter, once cowardly, became a fearless apostle who continued to preach Jesus despite persecution from the Jews. Such a remarkable transformation moved people’s hearts. Similarly, if we once lived selfishly and sinfully but are now changed by the Lord’s love—manifesting the fruits of love and service—we testify of the gospel to the world. “How could that person have changed so drastically?” people may wonder. We then testify, “Because I died with Christ, and now Christ lives in me.”
In conclusion, the contrast between Peter and Judas clearly illustrates the necessity of regeneration, the dynamics of sin and repentance, and the reality of a life that dies and is born again. Both were disciples of Jesus and both sinned. However, Peter, having been regenerated, knew the Lord’s love and repented, whereas Judas, who never truly experienced that love, fell into despair. The same lesson applies to us today. In our daily lives, temptation to sin is ever-present, and we may face major trials. In such moments, the question of whether we have truly “had a bath” in the Lord’s love—whether we have truly been regenerated—will determine our fate. Those who are regenerated will not remain in sin but will repent and stand again, ultimately following the Lord’s will.
Across multiple sermons, Rev. David Jang emphasizes, “Regeneration is a one-time event, but its fruit grows richer through daily repentance and the repeated reaffirmation of the Lord’s love—washing our feet every day. We must refuse to despair like Judas and choose to live like Peter, repenting and pressing on. This is the gospel, the mission of the church, and the life of those who have been born again.” Ultimately, our road leads through the cross to resurrection in Jesus Christ. To walk that road, the old self must die and we must be born again. This is “regeneration,” and its fruit is shown through love, repentance, and bold witnessing of the gospel. In our current lives, we need to reenact the repentance and love of Peter, experiencing the fullness of true regeneration—the joy of dying and rising again. May this resurrection joy overflow in all our lives as we remain in the Lord’s love.