Saturday, March 24, 2012

Lk. 22:44 - "His sweat was like. . .blood"

     Luke was a physician. Because of his trained skills in observation he often reports details about the life and death of Jesus the other gospel writers don't. As Jesus prayed in the Garden, Luke reports, "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Lk. 22:44).
     Sweating blood has been documented scientifically. Wikipedia tells us: "Hematidrosis (also called hematohidrosis) is a very rare condition in which a human being sweats blood. It may occur when a person is suffering extreme levels of stress, for example, facing his or her own death. Several historical references have been described; notably by Leonardo da Vinci: describing a soldier who sweated blood before battle, men unexpectedly given a death sentence, as well as descriptions in the Bible, that Jesus experienced hematidrosis when he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:44)." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematidrosis (Accessed Mar. 24, 2012).
     Luke's point is that Jesus was experiencing extreme stress and great mental anguish as He struggled with the separation from God caused by the world's sin, wrestled with demonic forces, and agonized with His decision to die in our place. He was doing this out of love for us and for a world that did not love Him.
     Friend, sin in whatever form is our enemy. It caused His agony and killed Jesus. May God help us to embrace our Savior and stop undulging our sin.
     As He continually presents His sacrifice at the Mercy Seat in heaven, Jesus remembers His loving anguish for you and me. He loves to help the weakest. He never turns anyone away. Whatever sin we struggle with, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need" (Heb. 4:16)

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