Matthew chapter 27 verse 34 (NIV))
There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it.
Apparently gall was given to prisoners to numb their senses, and make them less aware, but it was often poisonous. Jesus did not want to die from poisoning or have his senses numbed while on the cross. He knew that He had to shed his blood in order for Him to become the supreme sacrifice for the sins of all man, and He refused to take the easy way out of it. Some people might say what would have been the harm in His taking it, as He would still have fulfilled God’s will by dying on the cross. But in my opinion by refusing it, and suffering the full agony of the cruxifiction proves to us that He can empathise with any who suffer. He kept His focus to ensure that we were aware just what He went through on our behalf.
Dear Lord,
It is so humbling to know that we have a High Priest who is able to empathise with us in all our circumstances, even suffering. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.