It’s safe to say just about all of us have felt overwhelmed at one point or another. For many, being overwhelmed has even become the default. Pressure from relationships, finances, endlessly expanding to-do lists — even the pressure we put on ourselves pushes in on us. How are we supposed to bear all that stress? Would it surprise you to know that Jesus got stressed, too?
One night in particular, he experienced overwhelming stress. He knew his friend had betrayed him, and a series of events had kicked off that would culminate in a painful and unjust death. It was an unimaginable weight.
Like many people do when stressed, Jesus escaped to a quiet place. For some, that might be their car, for others, a particular park bench or maybe even the bathroom. For Jesus, it was a garden of old-growth olive trees on the side of a mountain. He brought a few friends for emotional support and prayer, but they weren’t a huge help as they couldn’t stay awake. He was dealing with this alone.
And the stress was intense. Jesus said his “soul was grieved to the point of death” — translation: the stress felt like it was killing him. He even reportedly suffered hematohidrosis, a rare condition caused by acute emotional stress where the sweat glands rupture, causing them to excrete blood. The weight of the upcoming suffering — and the resolve to bear it and exemplify his love for everyone through it — left him crushed and strained.
Later that evening, his adversaries captured him in the garden. Yet, despite his inability to find solace, Jesus found the strength to face his accusers and surrender to them willingly and without violence, knowing that his death would further spread his message of radical love.
Jesus wasn’t immune to stress. Nor did he expect anyone else to be. He sought out peace and quiet and company in the midst of stress, knowing those things can help immensely, but even Jesus still got overwhelmed. It’s OK if you do, too.
