(Read Luke 22)
When kneeling in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was visited by an angel of mercy. He didn’t ask for an angel to comfort Him, but He did ask God to remove the cup for Him. In the Hebrew Bible, the “cup” could be God’s judgment or a blessing. Jesus aligned His suffering with the long-standing biblical tradition of “drinking” what God has prepared. His prayer was not a refusal to obey; instead, it highlighted the costliness of the path He was destined to walk. Next, Jesus concluded, “Yet not my will, but yours be done,” showing His unwavering obedience to the Father’s redemptive plan.
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.
Luke 22:41-44
What we see from this text displays a profoundly sacred moment of Jesus’ humanity as He prayed just before His arrest. An angel appeared to strengthen Him, proving that although He was about to face His darkest trial, He was not forsaken. God’s provision in this dire moment assured Jesus that He was supported by heavenly resources, even as He was due to face earthly suffering. These verses showcased Jesus’ genuine human anguish, His unwavering obedience, and God’s sustaining presence in a moment of profound spiritual significance. The human Jesus needed a miracle to get Him out of the predicament. The Godly Jesus was the miracle.
Jesus’ submission to God’s will served as a profound model for all believers, demonstrating the importance of trusting God’s plan even when it entails suffering—and, in Jesus’ case, doing so while fully aware of what that suffering would involve.
Medically, the phenomenon of “sweating blood” is known as hematidrosis. Though exceedingly rare, this condition is believed to be triggered by extreme fear, anxiety, or intense emotional distress. Research suggests it may stem from the body’s “fight-or-flight” response, during which hormones like adrenaline and cortisol surge through the body, preparing it to confront or evade a perceived threat.
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”
Luke 22:50-53
It’s hard to say exactly how many miracles Jesus performed. None of the Bible writers give us a precise number, and different people count them differently depending on what they consider to be a miracle. The common consensus is that it amounts to about 35 to 40 miracles, and it’s important to remember that the Bible also says Jesus did many other amazing things that aren’t explicitly written down, which could have been miracles, too. Spanning His three year ministry, Jesus went from turning water into wine at a wedding to healing the high priest’s servant’s ear during His arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.
After reading this passage in Luke 22, I thought what blockheads people back then were! They saw Jesus heal this guy’s ear immediately following someone cutting it off. They saw miracles in front of them and still refused to believe. Some of those closest to Jesus witnessed scores of unexplainable things. Crowds in the thousands were fed from practically nothing and still had doubts about Jesus’ divinity. Three years of teaching, sinless behavior, and miracles didn’t still didn’t entirely convince anyone. We haven’t changed all that much in 2000 years.
A close friend of mine recently endured a lengthy and arduous legal battle, facing two serious accusations. The process stretched on for nearly a year and a half, leaving him unable to work, volunteer, or even pursue his passion for teaching. His life was essentially put on hold. Despite the prosecution’s weak case, the trial proceeded and was hindered by his attorney’s lack of trial experience.
However, halfway through the single-day proceedings, the judge dismissed the first accusation, deeming it insufficient to warrant further consideration. While the second accusation was entertained, my friend was ultimately found not guilty. The morning of the trial, I asked my friend about his hope for the outcome. He simply stated, ‘That God gets the glory.’
When God gets glory for something monumental, is it a miracle? I’m not sure I would classify my friend’s trial outcome as a miracle, but without a doubt, God’s glory and mercy were involved in the decision. Followers of Christ need to recognize when God’s hands are involved in our lives. Why didn’t the Pharisees and temple guards see Jesus’ miracle when He healed the man’s ear with a touch? They were so distracted by their own prejudices that it didn’t matter what Christ would do in their presence. By stating, “This is your hour, and the power of darkness,” Jesus indicated that momentarily, while evil was in control, it happened under the sovereign timing and allowance of God’s redemptive plan. Darkness is given its brief moment, but it will not triumph.
Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Listen carefully, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and she will call his name Immanuel (God with us).
Isaiah 7:14
Here’s a miracle for you—foretold about 700 years before the birth of Christ. God sent the prophet Isaiah to deliver a message of reassurance to King Ahaz, promising that their enemies’ plans would ultimately fail. Despite being offered a sign from God to confirm this assurance, the faithless Ahaz refused. So, Isaiah announced a divinely chosen sign that would confirm God’s promise of deliverance. For Christians, a “virgin” child underscores the miraculous nature of Jesus’ incarnation. Jesus’ birth is universally significant, bringing the presence of God not only to Judah but to all humanity. His birth inaugurated a new era of God’s kingdom where divine salvation and companionship are extended to all nations.
“Listen carefully.” When you think about miracles, consider this—at Christmas, the God of the universe descended into humanity as a helpless baby. He came to suffer for sins He did not commit, to pay a debt we can’t pay. Jesus’ birth isn’t just a sweet Sunday school story or the plot of a Hallmark movie. It’s the beginning of a remarkable story of unjust suffering and sacrificial death—a story that ultimately brings salvation. His birth marked the beginning of a movement that has grown into the world’s largest faith tradition, with 2.3 to 2.4 billion Christians today.
There is but one miracle more significant than the miracle of Christmas: His gift of eternal life and salvation at Calvary. God’s justice was fully satisfied through Christ’s death on the cross, offering complete forgiveness to all who believe. Unmerited sin paid in full surpasses the most glorious, timeless, and unbelievable miracle of Christ’s humble birth.
Key Applications:
- Trust in God’s Faithfulness: God provided a sign of deliverance to King Ahaz by promising “Immanuel” (God with us). Knowing that God is true to His word and remains present with His people can strengthen faith, calm fears, and guide decisions, regardless of current challenges.
- The name “Immanuel” affirms that God is not distant or aloof but actively involved in our affairs. Pray that you are assured of God’s presence and comfort. May it inspire perseverance and deepen a personal relationship with Him.