His Anguish

When Jesus' Sweat Turned to Blood.

Lord, help us to open our hearts and minds as we read our Daily Devotion today. Help us to see the very magnitude of the weight of our sin that caused such anguish as unto death, It is this weight of sin you willingly chose to carry for us. That weight was for every person who was and will be. Thank you for being our Lord and Savior. Thank you for carrying the weight of my sin so that I may have life, and life eternal with you. Amen

...His sweat became like great drops of blood falling to the ground. (Luke 22:44)

The facts in this verse, as well as the other verses in Luke's account of Jesus' physical state in the garden that night are related only by Luke, the physician.  When Luke described the account of Jesus as he was praying in the garden of Gethsemane, he included for us a visual image of the agony Jesus chose to take upon himself for you and I.  Such agony that his sweat became as drops of blood. This was a dangerous condition known as hematidrosis. Hematidrosis can be caused by extreme anguish or physical strain. Subcutaneous capillaries dilate and burst, mingling blood with sweat. This is a deadly condition and Jesus could have very well have died just from the strain and weight of the agony he was carrying. But that was not the Father's plan. Jesus would soon be betrayed by a comrade. 

The events that took place in the garden that night would forever change the world. You, Lord God, by your grace and your mercy, and by your Word, have shown us your great love for us. "Resurrection Day" is on its way!

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
~JOHN 3:16