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The Garden Of Gethsemane

It is easy to focus on the physical suffering of Jesus and forget that He also suffered emotionally and spiritually.  We get our first glimpse of Jesus suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His emotional struggle is most evident here,during a time of prayer.  Jesus was under such intense stress and anxiety that He suffered from a condition called hematidrosis; a condition in which capillary blood vessels that feed the sweat glands rupture, causing them to exude blood.

Also during this time, we get a glimpse of the great spiritual struggle that Jesus is having with being obedient to death on the cross.  He pleaded with God to take the cup from Him, and provide another way.  No doubt His impending physical suffering was weighing heavily on His heart.  Continue reading →