Jesus really died for us.

Pilate was surprised to hear that he should have already died. And summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the corpse to Joseph.

Mark 15:44-45

This historical detail is important because it established clearly, in legal fashion, that Jesus really did die on the cross. It sets the stage for us to understand that a REAL resurrection also took place. Here we have the Roman governor, Pilate, the top official in Judaea, signing off on the death of Jesus. It’s sort of an official death certificate. The Romans were highly efficient at execution. When Pilate learned that Jesus had died so early in the process, he summoned the centurion in charge of the death squad who confirmed that Jesus was indeed quite dead. Romans soldiers knew when they had done their job. So Jesus’ death certificate was confirmed both by the Roman military and by the civil government. It was signed twice.

After this, Pilate allowed Joseph of Arimethea to take the corpse of Jesus and bury it in his own tomb. And Mark, the author, specifically uses the Koine Greek word for a lifeless body to describe what Joseph was handed over by the Romans. It is clear that Jesus has indeed died. His body was laid in a tomb. The Romans knew He was dead. The Jews knew He was dead. And as we read Mark’s gospel, we know it too.

Although Jesus died for our sins, according to God the Father’s will, and by His own offering of Himself for us, He did not stay in the tomb that Joseph lent to Him! He is risen (Mark 16:6)! The Son of God Who died is the Son of God now alive! And Roman soldiers could not keep the stone shut on His tomb. Jewish officials could not silence the gospel message. Redemption is real. History has recorded it so that we might believe it.