Dr Paul Allen

The Blood of Jesus (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Hematidrosis, is when blood pressure becomes so high that the subject’s subcutaneous capillaries rupture and leak out the pores and tear ducts. Because of the causes of the condition— intense fear in the face of impending death—there are very few stories involving hematidrosis that have a happy ending. So, did Jesus experience hematidrosis? Maybe. Only Luke elucidates Christ ’s Gethsemane prayer with this detail: “And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44). There are three objections to the hypothesis that Jesus actually sweated blood, each in its own genus: theological, syntactic, and textual. Welcome to the CSI part of a pastor’s sermon prep. The theological objection goes something like this: Jesus had no sin and thus was not vulnerable to the curse on sin in the same way we are. He couldn’t catch the flu, get a boil, or become near-sig...

The Road to Emmaus appearance, based on Luke 24:13-32, painted by Joseph von Führich, 1830. (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) “ Jesus . . . kneeled down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup of suffering. But do what you want, not what I want.” . . . His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41–44 NCV The writer of Hebrews penned these words, “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death” ( Hebrews 5:7 NIV ). It’s an expression of Jesus that puzzles us. We’ve never seen his face like this. Jesus smiling, yes. Jesus weeping, absolutely. Jesus stern, even that. But Jesus anguished? Cheeks streaked with tears? Face flooded in sweat? Rivulets of blood dripping from his chin? Jesus was more than anxious; he was afraid. How remarkable that Jesus felt such fear. But how kind that he told us about it. We tend to do the opposite. Gloss over our ...