“His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44)  

Christ came to the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to ask three times if there was any way He could avoid drinking the cup of separation from the Father ( Matthew 27:46) and punishment for sin ( 1 Peter 2:24). The stress was so great that He excreted blood from His skin in a rare phenomenon called hematidrosis. 

 Our Lord gives us a priceless example of how to approach God in the most severe trials. If Christ could endure the ultimate agony that night, we can endure the light afflictions God asks us to endure. It’s possible the writer of the Book of Hebrews alludes to Christ’s hematidrosis as an example for us to suffer in His steps*. “You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4). Instead of fighting back against those who cause trials, Christ said, “I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also” (Matthew 5:39). 

 The Apostle Peter says, “when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:20-21). The Greek word translated “patiently” is hupomeno, which in context of the Scripture means “submission to the Lordship of Christ”. The Biblical solution to every problem is submission to the providence of God. The saint must acknowledge in his deepest being, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). It’s a hard saying, but like Christ, the saint must humbly submit to God with, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done" (Matthew 26:42). 

 *For a complete explanation of how the sweating of blood is a good example for saints dealing with trials, please click here to read Albert Barnes (1798-1870) commentary on Hebrews 12:4.