"Jesus was in great pain and prayed so sincerely that his sweat fell to the ground like drops of blood.." Luke 22:44 [CEV]
The mental pressure arising from Jesus’ struggle with temptation so stressed his body, that his pores squeezed out great drops of blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how enormous must have been the weight of sin when it was able to crush Jesus, resulting in drops of blood! This demonstrates the mighty power of his love. Isaac Ambrose observed aptly that the gum which oozes from the tree without cutting is always the best. This precious tree (Jesus) gave out sweet spices when it was wounded with knotted whips, and when it was pierced by the nails on the cross; but look, it gives out its best spice when there is no whip, no nail, no wound. This illustrates how Christ's sufferings were voluntary, since without a blade the blood flowed freely. No need to put on leeches, or apply a knife; it flows spontaneously. No need for the rulers to cry, "Spring up, O well;" it flows in crimson torrents all on its own.
The mental pressure arising from Jesus’ struggle with temptation so stressed his body, that his pores squeezed out great drops of blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how enormous must have been the weight of sin when it was able to crush Jesus, resulting in drops of blood! This demonstrates the mighty power of his love. Isaac Ambrose observed aptly that the gum which oozes from the tree without cutting is always the best. This precious tree (Jesus) gave out sweet spices when it was wounded with knotted whips, and when it was pierced by the nails on the cross; but look, it gives out its best spice when there is no whip, no nail, no wound. This illustrates how Christ's sufferings were voluntary, since without a blade the blood flowed freely. No need to put on leeches, or apply a knife; it flows spontaneously. No need for the rulers to cry, "Spring up, O well;" it flows in crimson torrents all on its own.
If humans suffer great mental pain, apparently blood rushes to the heart. The cheeks become pale; a fainting fit comes on; the blood has gone inward as if to nourish the inner organs while going through the stressful situation. But look at Jesus, in His agony; he is so utterly oblivious to his own self, that instead of his agony driving his blood to the heart to nourish him, it drives it outward to drop on the earth. The agony of Christ, inasmuch as it pours him out onto the ground, illustrates the fullness of the offering which he made for mankind.
Can we imagine how intense must have been the turmoil through which he passed, and will we not listen to the way it speaks to us?:
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.”
Hebrews 12:4 [NIV]
Hebrews 12:4 [NIV]
Behold the great Apostle and High Priest we profess, and sweat even to the point of shedding blood rather than yield to the great tempter of your souls.
Amen
Charles Spurgeon, paraphrased by Dave MacLellan
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