The mental pressure from our Lord's struggle with temptation pushed Him to such an extreme that His pores released drops of blood. This shows the immense weight of sin that could crush the Savior so deeply that He sweat blood. It reveals the powerful love He has for us. There's an old insight from Isaac Ambrose that says the gum from a tree which flows without cutting is always the best.

This precious camphire tree produced sweet spices when struck with whips and pierced by nails. But notice, it gives its finest when there's no whip, no nail, no wound. This highlights Christ's willing sacrifice, as blood flowed freely without a lance. There was no need for pressure to release it; it poured out on its own.

When people face intense mental suffering, blood often rushes to the heart, leaving them pale as their body focuses inward. Yet in His agony, Jesus was so selfless that, instead of drawing inward, His distress drove His blood outward, soaking the earth.

Christ's agony, as He poured Himself out, shows the completeness of His offering for us. Can we not see the depth of His struggle and let it speak to us? "You haven't yet resisted to blood, striving against sin." Look to the great Apostle and High Priest of our calling and strive as He did, even to the point of shedding blood, rather than yielding to the enemy of your soul.