1. The agony of the cross was not the physical pain of nails and thorns. The pain of the cross was His spiritual separation from God. Jesus Sweat Blood

2. Luke 22:39-42 39 Coming out, He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. 40 When He came to the place, He said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation." 41 And He was withdrawn from them about a stone's throw, and He knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done."

3. Luke 22:43-45 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 When He rose up from prayer, and had come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.

4. Not a fear of physical death Many have suffered painful deaths without fear or dread Read – Fox's Book of Martyrs Burned alive, hung, head cut off, hot oil poured on them Many died cruel deaths with joy and prayer on their lips They faced death with song, prayer, joy, calmly

5. Not a fear of physical death Do not minimize the suffering Jesus endured In His humanity – He suffered greatly But Jesus did not dread death He was willing to submit to the will of the Father in Heaven

6. Medical Term Hematidrosis Under extreme mental and emotional anguish the small capillaries near the surface of the skin will dilate This allows blood cells to come to the surface mixed with sweat Blood mingled with water

7. Medical Term Hematidrosis “As a result of hemorrhage into the sweat glands, the skin become fragile and tender. Luke's description supports the diagnosis of hematidrosis.” Remember Luke was a physician.

8. Medical Term Hematidrosis John 19:34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 1 John 5:6 This is He who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth.

9. He bore our sins 2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. 1 John 2:2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

10. He bore our sins What made His death so terrible is the burden of sin. Jesus was in the same condition as every sinner dying out of Christ. The burden of sin – separated Him from the Father Isaiah 59:1-2 1 Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

11. Spiritual Death Ephesians 2:1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins Colossians 3:3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 1 Timothy 5:6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.

12. Spiritual Death Jesus died so we could live forever. Did Jesus die physically so we would not face physical death? No. Jesus died a spiritual death so we would not die an eternal (second) death. Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

13. Isaiah 53 4 Smitten by God, and afflicted 5 He was wounded for our transgressions 6 The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all 10 He has put Him to grief. When You make His soul an offering for sin 11 He shall bear their iniquities 12 He was numbered with the transgressors 12 He bore the sin of many

14. Jesus Sweat drops of blood “How can we do less than prostrate ourselves in adoration and gratitude for One by whose grace I need never die? And how could we fail to do less than arise and walk in newness of life, sharing the good news with others?”

15. Jesus Sweat drops of blood “If one knew that real fellowship with God means sweating blood at the anticipation of being forsaken by God in any sense for any time, what a horrible thing it must be to be separated from Him forever!”