That was astounding! I couldn’t believe my eyes! I don’t think there’s ever been anything like it – you just had to see it to believe it!
Expressions of incredulity – that would have been the response of people if they had seen Jesus during the three hours of darkness on the cross. Isaiah put it this way in Isaiah 52:14: “Just as many were astonished at you, so His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.”
The word “astonished” actually means “to stupefy.” It means, “to be stunned.” Edward Young, the Hebrew scholar, says it is “a discontentment brought about by a disturbing and paralyzing astonishment.”
Now the reason for this astonishment, according to Isaiah, was that “His appearance was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.” Actually, he is saying that Jesus was distorted and disfigured more than any man has ever been. “But,” you say, “Lots of people were crucified – including the two thieves. How was it worse for Him?” Well, the answer is that in those three hours of darkness, it was then that Jesus felt the separation from the Father and cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” The weight of the world’s sin was upon Him, and the torment was so great, and the agony so deep that His face and body were contorted beyond belief. That’s why God turned out the lights to hide the incredibly gruesome sight.
The Prophet says, “…many were astonished…” His appearance was “marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men.”
Say – Jesus wasn’t just crucified. He also bore the sins of the whole world – including yours.