Scripture: Luke 22:40-44
When Jesus reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.
Thought for the Day: I don’t remember what year it was, but I ran Hospital Hill Half Marathon in 90 degree temperatures. By the time I crossed the finish line an hour and 40 minutes later, I was a gross sweaty mess. When you run long distances and have been sipping sports drinks along way to recoup what your body has expelled through sweat glands, you will find that the heat will cause the water to evaporate while leaving behind the salt. And when I say leave behind the salt, there were visible lines and pockets of salt – enough to fill a salt shaker. That might be too much information for some folks, but that kind of sweating leaves behind an unmistakable mark.
When the scriptures speak about the sweat of Jesus becoming like great drops of blood, the author is using a metaphor to express the anguish within Jesus. It’s not just sweat that dampens the brow and leaves a wet spot in the armpits. This sorrowful sweating leaves a clear mark that portrays the depth of pain that has been and will be felt by Jesus. Though probably no actual blood, the visceral image leaves its unmistakeable mark upon the reader.
Prayer: Lord God, as your Spirit moves among us and within us, may its power leave an unmistakeable mark upon each of us. Amen.
SEE YOU SUNDAY
for
Worship on Mother’s Day
