“And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44 ESV

When Jesus entered the Garden of Gethsemane, His mind was on one thing only – His mission for coming to this world.  He was a man, but He is also God.  Because of His human nature, He prayed to His heavenly Father, asking that He might be spared from his impending journey.  Because He was also God, He knew there was no turning back – no running away – no hiding, because it was His will which must be carried out

God’s will demanded full payment for the sins of the world.  That payment came in the form of His own flesh. That’s not an easy concept to understand.  God paid the price by His own death.  He was the sacrifice to atone for the sins of the world. No other blood sacrifice would suffice.  No animal or human being could cover the cost.  This was all part of God’s promise of redemption way back in that other garden – Eden.

Jesus’ prayer was one of a man talking to His Father.  In the end He realizes that there is no choice.  He could’ve sent an army of angels to protect Himself and His men, but He went willingly.  His tears were not for Himself, but for you and me and every human being that ever lived.  His prayer was so intense that He sweat drops of blood.  The sweat He bled was real and shows the depth and intensity of His prayer.

Through this event, we learn that it’s OK for us to cry when we hurt, when we suffer financial loss, death of a family member or friend.  When we’re depressed or worried tears will fall. It’s part of our human condition. Our tears hold no magical power, but they do allow us to grieve.  They cleanse the pain away for a while.  They act as a buffer against  outside anxiety.  They open our hearts to the Savior who went willingly to His death to rescue us.

Mountainous clouds entwine in a sky of black,
Filling with tears from the Lord of all.
He sees and He knows our tribulation.
The depth of our sorrow is in His hands.
There is nothing we can do to take away our sadness.
We cannot change the course of our lives,
But He has turned His tears to cleansing waters.
Through the death of His beloved Son.
Washed – forgiven from sin’s deadly pain,
We can dance in His refreshing rain.

                                                                                               KATHY BOECHER©