Why did Jesus sweat drops of blood?

“Sweat Was Like Drops of Blood”

“And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground”.

Luke 22:44

Luke is the only gospel writer that mentions that when Jesus prayed earnestly in the Garden of Gethsemane, His “sweat was like drops of blood” probably because he was a physician.

This medical condition, according to Dr. Frederick Zugibe (Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County, New York) is well-known. It is called “hematohidrosis.” “Around the sweat glands, there are multiple blood vessels in a net-like form.” Under the pressure of great stress the vessels constrict. Then, as the anxiety passes “the blood vessels dilate to the point of rupture. The blood goes into the sweat glands.” As the sweat glands produce a lot of sweat, it pushes the blood to the surface – coming out as droplets of blood mixed with sweat.

Jesus was seized with superhuman agony in the garden of Gethsemane the night before the crucifixion day. The great weight of the sins of humanity was upon Him. And He knew that under this weight of sin, the Father would turn His face away from Him and thus He would endure separation from His Father.

His suffering can best be described in the words of the prophet, “Awake, O sword, against My shepherd, and against the man that is My fellow, saith the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 13:7). As He carried the sins of the world, He felt His unity with the Father broken up, and He feared that in His human nature He would be unable to endure the coming conflict with the powers of darkness.

Jesus was tempted to let the human race bear the consequences of its own guilt, while He stood innocent before God. The fate of humanity trembled in the balance. Christ could even now refuse to drink the cup apportioned to guilty man. It was not yet too late. He can wipe the bloody sweat from His brow and leave man to perish in his iniquity.

Jesus cried, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.” Yet even now He adds, “Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt” (Matthew 26:39). Three times, He uttered that prayer through the night.

But, He saw the utter helplessness of man. He left heaven, where all is purity, happiness, and glory, to save the one lost sheep, the one world that has fallen by sin. The pain of a doomed world rose before Him and His decision was made. He decided to save man at any cost to Himself. And He accepted His baptism of blood. He saw that through His sacrifice, millions will gain everlasting life.

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13).

Our Response to Jesus’ Sacrifice

The sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross is the greatest expression of God’s love, mercy, and grace. His death and resurrection provide salvation, freedom from sin, and the promise of eternal life. However, this sacrifice requires a personal response. The Bible makes it clear that we are not to be passive recipients but active participants in faith. How should we respond to such an immeasurable gift?

1. Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior

The first and most important response to Jesus’ sacrifice is to accept Him as Lord and Savior. John 3:16 (NKJV) states, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Belief in Jesus is not just an intellectual agreement but a heartfelt trust in His finished work on the cross.

Romans 10:9 (NKJV) instructs, “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” True faith in Christ leads to repentance—a turning away from sin and a commitment to follow Him.

2. Living a Life of Obedience

Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15, NKJV). Our response to His sacrifice should be a life of obedience to His teachings. We are no longer our own, but we belong to Him who redeemed us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Obedience does not earn salvation but is evidence of a transformed life.

This means forsaking sinful habits and embracing righteousness. As Paul writes in Romans 12:1 (NKJV), “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” Since Jesus gave His life for us, we should give our lives in service to Him.

3. Living by Faith and Trusting in His Grace

Jesus’ sacrifice does not mean we will live a perfect life without struggles, but it does mean we can trust in His grace. Hebrews 11:6 (NKJV) states, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

Faith in Christ means trusting Him in trials, depending on His grace in weaknesses, and surrendering all to Him. Instead of relying on our strength, we lean on His power, as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV), “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

4. Loving and Serving Others

Jesus’ sacrifice was driven by love, and as recipients of His love, we are called to love others. 1 John 4:19 (NKJV) says, “We love Him because He first loved us.”

Loving others includes forgiving those who wrong us (Ephesians 4:32), helping those in need (Matthew 25:40), and sharing the Gospel so others can also receive salvation (Matthew 28:19-20).

5. Worshiping and Glorifying God

A heart that truly understands Jesus’ sacrifice will overflow with worship. Worship is more than just singing songs—it is a lifestyle of glorifying God in all we do (Colossians 3:17). We must give thanks daily for His grace and proclaim His greatness to the world (Psalm 96:3).

Conclusion

God’s sacrifice is infinite because it stems from His boundless love, covers all sin, and grants eternal life to those who accept it. This is the greatest demonstration of divine love, calling us to live in gratitude and obedience.

Jesus’ sacrifice calls for a response of faith, obedience, love, and worship. We should accept Him, live in obedience, trust in His grace, serve others, and glorify Him in all we do. This is the only fitting response to the immeasurable love He has shown us.