Drops of blood
Lk 22:39-56
And he came out, and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives - (39a)
Jesus knew he was about to be betrayed, and by whom, and for love of us went to where he could be found. He went to pray, and this should be our custom in the face of temptation, too: engage with God rather than with the tempter.
And there appeared to him an angel from heaven , strengthening him. - (43)
The online version of the RSV that I've been using omits this verse and 44, which apparently do not appear in the earliest manuscripts.
He sends angels in many forms to strengthen us, too. We must choose to receive their aid rather than pursue our temptation.
And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. - (44)
It is hard to think of Jesus as being anything short of completely earnest. Perhaps "more fervently" would be better. I have heard that there is a medical term for this condition, but lack the time to go look it up.
Luke omits the threefold rendering of the sleeping apostles.
And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. - (50)
When faced with injustice beyond our control, we overreach and attempt to oppose our own will wrongfully rather than trusting that God's inscrutable plan for us might still be at work, even in the face of the power of darkness. (53)
But Jesus said, "No more of this!" And he touched his ear and healed him. - (51)
Even faced with his own betrayal, wrongful condemnation and execution, Jesus pours out his compassion on this "enemy," the high priest's slave. Of course, we oughtn't confuse "following his owner's orders" with a higher degree of complicity.
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