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The mental pressure arising from our Lord's struggle with temptation, so forced
his frame to an unnatural excitement, that his pores sent forth great drops of
blood which fell down to the ground. This proves how tremendous must have been
the weight of sin when it was able to crush the Saviour so that he distilled
great drops of blood! This demonstrates the mighty power of his love. It is a
very pretty observation of old Isaac Ambrose that the gum which exudes from the
tree without cutting is always the best. This precious camphire-tree yielded
most sweet spices when it was wounded under the knotty whips, and when it was
pierced by the nails on the cross; but see, it giveth forth its best spice when
there is no whip, no nail, no wound. This sets forth the voluntariness of
Christ's sufferings, since without a lance the blood flowed freely. No need to
put on the leech, or apply the knife; it flows spontaneously. No need for the
rulers to cry, "Spring up, O well;" of itself it flows in crimson torrents. If
men suffer great pain of mind apparently the blood rushes to the heart. The
cheeks are pale; a fainting fit comes on; the blood has gone inward as if to
nourish the inner man while passing through its trial. But see our Saviour in
his agony; he is so utterly oblivious of self, that instead of his agony driving
his blood to the heart to nourish himself, it drives it outward to bedew the
earth. The agony of Christ, inasmuch as it pours him out upon the ground,
pictures the fulness of the offering which he made for men.
Do we not perceive how intense must have been the wrestling through which he
passed, and will we not hear its voice to us? "Ye have not yet resisted unto
blood, striving against sin." Behold the great Apostle and High Priest of our
profession, and sweat even to blood rather than yield to the great tempter of
your souls.
"His sweat was as it were great drops of blood
falling down to the ground." - Luke 22:44
See Also:
Daily Devotional: Today With Jesus
Daily Devotional: My Utmost for His Highest
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