Mark 15:44 “Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.”
Pilot said this because it was possible for someone to hang on the cross for several days. In fact, the death of the thieves on either side of Christ was quickened by the soldiers breaking their legs. So, they died faster than people usually would on a cross. But Jesus died even faster than that.
This highlights something that’s very important to understand about the death of Christ on the cross. The crucifixion did not kill Christ. He literally gave his life for us. Pilot was a smart man. He knew that what had been done to Christ wouldn’t cause him to be dead that soon. He knew Jesus wasn’t a weakling. He didn’t understand why he would already be dead. And that’s simply because, the cross did not kill Christ.
That doesn’t mean Jesus committed suicide either. He did what only He did what only He could do. He gave His life for us. I have heard people observe that the mixture of water and blood which came from His side when pierced indicates death by a broken heart. Well, though I think that observation may have merit, I’m not sure you could explain the exact cause of death, because nobody else have ever died the same way. To put it succinctly, Jesus died for sin, and of sin, the sins of all for all of history.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the death of Christ. It is only through His death and resurrection that we have any hope. In Christ we can have access to you, which is so wonderful! Thank you for mercy and grace in Him! We love you so much! The name of Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.