The most significant event to ever occur in the history of the world was the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The Romans had perfected the art of crucifixion in order to maximize the pain. They knew how to prolong the horror without permitting the victim to lapse into a state of unconsciousness that might relieve the pain. The victim of crucifixion would experience waves of nausea, fever, intense thirst, constant cramps and incessant, throbbing pain from all parts of the body. Sleeplessness, hunger, dehydration and worsening infection all took their toll on the victim’s body and spirit as the process of crucifixion dragged on — usually for three days or so. The feeling of utter hopelessness, the public shame, and the ever-increasing trauma to the body all intensified as the hours dragged on.

Aside from the physical pain of crucifixion, the most notable feature was the disgrace attached to it. Victims were mercilessly taunted. They were usually hanged naked. They were made a spectacle of shame and reproach. Hebrews 12:2 refers to this when it says Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame.”

As always, Jesus did not revile those who reviled him. His only words about his tormentors as he hung on the cross were a tender plea to God for mercy on their behalf (Luke 23:34). He went to the cross willingly, knowingly and in submissive obedience to God — to die for others’ sins. Jesus said, “Therefore my father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have the power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I received from my father” (John 10:17-18). The death of Jesus was no ordinary event. Scripture records a number of supernatural phenomena that occurred while Jesus hung on the cross. These events are God’s supernatural commentary upon the cross. They are further proof of the extraordinary importance of what occurred that day just outside Jerusalem. Pilgrims jammed into the city of Jerusalem on that day. Few realized that God’s true Passover lamb was dying to provide forgiveness for all of the saints of all time.

The first of the miraculous signs that accompanied Jesus’ death was the darkening of the sky. “From the sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (3 p.m.) there was darkness over all the land” (Matthew 27:45). This was probably not a total blackness but a severe darkening of the normal intensity of the sun.

The darkness is a reminder that the cross was a place of judgment. Jesus was standing in our place as the wrath of God was poured upon him for our transgressions.

The second of the miraculous signs was the torn veil. Matthew 27:51 reads, “Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” The veil was a heavy curtain that blocked the entrance to the Holy of Holies in the Jerusalem temple, the place where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. It symbolized the sacred presence of God. Josephus, the Jewish historian, described the veil as ornately decorated and made of blue fabric.

Only one person ever traversed the veil. The high priest entered the Holy of Holies one day per year — the Day of Atonement. He entered with the blood of a sacrifice.

The tearing of the curtain at the moment of Jesus’ death dramatically symbolized his sacrifice was a sufficient atonement for sin forever. The way to the Holy of Holies was now open. We now have free access to the grace of God without the need for a priest or ritual (Hebrews 4:16).

The third great sign was the great earthquake. “And the earth quaked, and the rocks were split” (Matthew 27:51). An earthquake strong enough to split rocks would be very significant.! Although earthquakes were a fairly common phenomena, an earthquake of this magnitude would have instantly brought the entire city of Jerusalem to a halt for several minutes.

Earthquakes in Scripture — like darkness — were often used to display divine judgment. Earthquakes often signify divine wrath. At the cross, the wrath of God was poured out on God’s own son. The accompanying earthquake, coming at the final moment of Christ’s atoning work, was a divine punctuation mark. It signified God’s anger at the fact that sin had cost his son so much.

Perhaps the most important miracle that occurred at the moment of Jesus’ death was the conversion of the Roman centurion charged with overseeing the crucifixion. As Christ’s atoning work was brought to completion, its dramatic saving power was already at work in the lives of those who were physically closest to him. Matthew 27:54 reads, “So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared God greatly, saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!” Centurions were career officers and hardened men of war.

These soldiers saw how Jesus held his silence while his enemies hurled accusations at him. They watched while Jesus suffered the horrific scourging with quiet grace and dignity. They had spat on him and mistreated him in every conceivable fashion. They had seen Jesus endure all the tortures without cursing or threatening any of his tormentors. They heard Pilate repeatedly declare the innocence of Jesus. They listened as Jesus prayed for his killers. They experienced three full hours of supernatural darkness. These soldiers could no longer ignore the fact that Jesus was indeed the Son of God.

Matthew indicates all the soldiers had the same reaction. They “feared greatly” (Matthew 27:54). This speaks of extreme alarm. They realized they had crucified the Son of God. Luke says, “He glorified God, saying, ‘Certainly this was a righteous man!” (Luke 23:47). The centurion and his soldiers were the very first converts to Christ after his crucifixion. Won’t you turn to Jesus today?

Ethan Hansen is pastor of Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake. He can be reached at ehansen@biglakefaithbible.org.