The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast At Easter and Every Day Jesus Understands
Today’s devotional reminds us of one of the most beautiful truths of our faith: Jesus understands what it means to be human. He experienced hunger, thirst, exhaustion, and yes — even anguish so deep that He sweat drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Luke 22:44)
No matter what you're facing — heartbreak, fear, anxiety, or loss — Jesus isn’t distant from your pain. He’s felt it, carried it, and overcome it. This Easter and every day, we can be assured that the One who conquered death understands every burden we bear. And just as God sent strength to Jesus in His moment of need, He promises to send help to us too — whether through His Word, His people, or His angels.
We encourage you to pray:
“Lord, thank You for knowing what it’s like to hurt, to grieve, and to feel overwhelmed. Help me to follow Your example of surrender and trust, and to lean on You for strength in my hardest moments.”
Join the Conversation:
When was a time you felt God’s strength in a season of deep distress? How do you find peace in knowing Jesus understands what you’re walking through? We’d love to hear your story — connect with us on social media @LifeAudioNetwork or leave a comment on Crosswalk.com. Your testimony might be the encouragement someone else is praying for today.
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Full Transcript Below:
At Easter and Every Day, Jesus Understands
By Lynette Kittle
And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground--Luke 22:44
Sweat: most of us experience it repeatedly in life, whether from high temperatures in weather or during illness, recreational activities or exercise, or because of stress and anxiety; it’s a gritty, real aspect of life.
Still, some of us don’t think of Jesus ever sweating like we do at times, but being fully human as well as fully God, we can be assured He sweated. As a physician, Luke added details in his writing that help us know Jesus experienced human conditions like us.
Jesus Knows What It’s Like to Be Human
From various biblical passages, we also know that Jesus hungered for food, like we do. How He thirsted for drink, like us. Likewise, how He grew tired and needed rest and solitude at times, away from the crowds of people who followed Him, just like many of us do, too.
Most likely, though, no matter what immense pressure we’ve been under at times, most of us have not had such an intense prayer time as Jesus did, where we sweat drops of blood.
Mark 14:32 describes the setting where it occurred. “They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’”
Yet, still in this peaceful, quite beautiful place, “He took Peter, James and John along with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ He said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch’” (Mark 14:33-34).
Jesus Felt the Pressure
Sometimes we might feel embarrassed in our reactions to distress and trouble, but we can take comfort in knowing even Jesus has felt it, understanding and knowing how being under pressure can feel. “Going a little farther, He fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “’Abba, Father,’ He said, ‘everything is possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Yet not what I will, but what You will.’”(Mark 14:35-36).
Jesus understands what it’s like to feel like something is too hard and too much for us to bear. He leads the way by showing us how to surrender and submit to our Heavenly Father’s will over our own will, even when we believe it’s too much for us to handle.
Jesus Received Strength
Still, a garden setting sounds lovely and peaceful, yet Jesus sweat drops of blood while praying as He faced the future and the reality of the cross to come. Luke 22:43 describes how during Jesus’ prayer, “An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him.”
Some of us are experiencing Easter this year while walking through distressful, sad, and life-changing events, a time where our whole world seems to be turned upside down, possibly dealing with life and death issues, facing devastating losses we didn’t anticipate in our lives.
Maybe we’re not to the point of sweating drops of blood, but feeling the intensity of experiencing things we don’t feel the strength to endure going through. If so, we can follow Jesus’ example of spending time in prayer, of taking our concerns to God, and relying on Him to send help to get us through whatever we’re facing.
But we may think it’s farfetched to think God will send us help, like He did for Jesus; that He doesn’t send angels to help us. However, throughout the Bible, there are stories of angels ministering to and helping people, including Elijah, Daniel, Gideon, Zechariah, Samson’s mother, and more.
As well, Psalm 91:11 assures us that angels are available to help us: “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”
God lets us know that He doesn’t leave us alone in our troubles but sends help, as Psalm 34:7 describes, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them.”
Intersecting Faith & Life: If you’re dealing with distressful situations and need strengthening this Easter, ask God to send help to encourage and uplift you. Be open and willing to receive His love, compassion, comfort, and more.
Further Reading: A Prayer to Celebrate Your Salvation this Easter
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