Sweat & blood - Lk 22:44

The original Korean text: http://blog.naver.com/stevision/50025469484

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>And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. (Lk 22:44)<

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Jesus prayed to God in Gethsemane the day before he was crucified. His disciples were so tired that they were fast asleep, but Jesus, having humanity, could not help but pray to God because of his anguish.

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By the way, the Bible reports that Jesus prayed so desperately that (according to a certain ancient version of the book of Luke) his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

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Sweat is not directly related to life. If you sweat a lot, you can drink water and be replenished with it, then nothing will happen. Therefore, a prayer of sweat means a simple intercession or a simple wishful prayer. But blood is different. If you bleed much, you can't make up for the loss of blood with several cups of water, which may threaten your life. Therefore, to pray in the sweat like blood means a prayer that may give rise to self-sacrifice.

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The prayer in the spirit of self-sacrifice is Moses’ prayer. When Israel committed the crime of idolatry against God, God said to Moses, "I will destroy Israel." Then Moses said to God, "If you will not forgive them, blot me out of your book which you have written. (Ex 32:32)" Moses solicited God to forgive Israel, with a determination to give up his life for Israel's salvation. The Apostle Paul also said, "I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen by race. (Rom 9:3)"

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In fact, Jesus' crucifixion was surely a great pain, and Jesus prayed to the Father that if he (Jesus) could avoid the cup, he would avoid it. Even so, must Jesus pray in the sweat like blood to God the Father just to help him bear the cross without fail? Rather would not it be better to accept the cross bravely? For what did Jesus pray to God in the sweat of blood in Gethsemane?

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Perhaps, wasn't there a conversation between God the Father and Jesus then as follows?

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* Jesus: Father, if you can, please remove this cup (of crucifixion) from me. I really want to avoid this cup!

* Father: ....

* Jesus: OK, Father. I will die on the cross as you want. Of course, my death will surely bring the salvation upon all mankind, won't it?

* Father: Isn't that a bit too much to ask? How come you're going to pay for all the sins of humanity with your life, one life? I will save only your disciples who follow you.

* Jesus: No, my Father! Forgive all sins of all humanity as a price of my life!

* Father: Good, then, only thousands of Israelites who follow you now will be given eternal life for your life.

* Jesus: Father, All human beings are sinners, so there is no one who can die for them. If you do not save all mankind by my death, there will be only despair to them forever.

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>>Jesus talked with God the Father over his death and the salvation of mankind, and prayed so desperately that he sweated a bloody sweat.<<

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* Jesus: My Father, you can give me any extreme sufferings. But give the mankind a hope of salvation!

* Father: Good! Then I will give the everlasting life to all who believe in you as the Savior, because of the death that you will suffer. Are you ready for the suffering?

* Jesus: Yes, My Father. Thank you! Give me strength to endure the pain!

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Perhaps, didn't Jesus bear the cross after this desperate prayer?

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