“One Day They Led Him Up Calvary’s Mountain…” [Devotion for April 1]

“And being more anxious, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)

I read recently in a devotional from Charles Spurgeon that he was made aware that with most people, when they are anxious and fearful, the blood flows away from the body towards the heart. In researching this further, I discovered our blood flows away naturally from the parts of the body that don’t need the blood flow, and rushes to the parts of the body that needs the energy and blood the most, to react to the possibility of danger. The legs, for instance, would receive more blood flow in the event of the need for fight or flight. That is the natural way the body responds when faced with fearful anxiety.

Luke 22:39-46 describes the scene in the garden when Jesus prayed. The first part of his prayer was, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (verse 42) In verse 43, the Bible tells us an angel appeared to Jesus and strengthened him. Then, being in further anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly, till his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

Jesus physically responded opposite to the way the normal human responds when wanting to flee from danger or to defend against a threat. The blood flow evidently didn’t flow to his legs for flight, or arms for fight, but outward, to his skin. Jesus knew what was before him… there would be pain and suffering and humiliation, and worse, separation from God the Father, taking the sins of the world upon himself on the cross. The sweat from the anxiety and fearful anticipation of the weight of all our sin caused the blood of Jesus to flow out from his skin like sweat drops. Jesus wrestled intensely, yet He uttered in prayer, “Not my will, but yours be done.” He chose to be that once and for all sacrifice, not to flee or fight, but to endure the pain and suffering of the crucifixion for you and me, though every human fiber in his body was fighting against what would come. Jesus, willingly laid down his life for you and for me. “Greater love has no man than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) “It is finished,” were Jesus’ final words.. the guilt of all our sins.. are gone, the price paid in full.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
(John 3:16-17)

 
Pastor Nick Bailey