Why I Mourn Michael Jackson's Death
There is one thing you have to understand before you read the rest of this note: I did not grow up listening to Michael Jackson. "Thriller" is some sort of roller coaster, and "Smooth Criminal" is a sleazeball felon who thinks he's good with the ladies. I never spent time waiting to watch the latest MJ video on MTV. I grew up listening to the Beatles, the Beach Boys, Buddy Holly, Elvis, and other rock icons of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.
So when I think of Michael Jackson, I don't think of an adorable singer of the Jackson 5. I don't even think of the 80s pop legend. I think of a pasty white pedophile (unconvicted, sorry). Why would I mourn that? (Answer: I wouldn't.)
Seriously, Michael Jackson is simply the fodder for jokes. I know you've heard plenty of them. My favorite is this: "Only in America can a poor black boy grow up to become a rich white woman."
When you tell me that Michael Jackson is dead: here's the sort of stuff that goes through my head:
Never say never, Neverland Ranch.
Finally he can achieve that perfect, pale, vampire color, without the blood in his cheeks to interfere.
Justice is served!
The children are safe!
I'm not proud of it, but my first reaction on hearing confirmation that Michael Jackson was dead was one of joy. I was seriously tired of hearing about the guy, and I will never have to hear about his exploits again. Good news.
Immediately (and I do mean immediately) after expressing sentiments to that effect, I felt very guilty. Not because Michael Jackson is dead, but because he may well have died without believing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - that Jesus Christ, Son of God, lived a sinless life and nonetheless suffered the penalty for our sins, on our behalf. After dying in our place, he was resurrected from the grave, proving his claims to divinity and authority, and now extends his grace to those whom he has called and who will receive his gift.
If Michael Jackson died without the gift of grace extended from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit, then he will be subject to eternal judgment for his crimes and sins. The punishment is just, but it is no cause for joy. That I should rejoice because a fellow human being, created in the image of God, but corrupted by sin just like myself, has died and may face terrible wrath--that is offensive, immoral, and assinine.
I have no particular love for, or connection to, Michael Jackson. And consequently, I don't know if he had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ or not. My hope is that he did, and that I might eventually find a great kinship with him in the presence of God; but my honest understanding of his life leads me to be less optimistic. I mourn Michael Jackson's death because he represents one of billions of people who die apart from the Love of God: love from the Father, expressed through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son Jesus the Christ, expressed by the action of the Holy Spirit in the world even today. The sad truth is that the world will not be much, if any, different for Michael's passing; but for everyone who dies apart from the Gospel, the world will be forever different and alien because they missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
I pray that as you read this, that God would be at work in your heart. Death is a tragedy that strikes us all, and that unexpectedly. I have no fear of death because I believe with certainty that God has made himself very clear through the Bible, and that those who believe what He says about Himself and us will be given the undeserved gift of redemption from our wickedness and the penalty we're facing. But for those of us who have not yet died, who have not yet paid the penalty for our evil actions, our evil inactions, or our evil thoughts, there are two good reasons to keep on living: to hear the Gospel for ourselves, and to tell others about the Good News.
I pray that you would hear the Gospel, whether for the first time or not, that it would bring you comfort and joy, and that you will share it with others. It may be too late for Michael Jackson, I trust God with him now. It is not too late for us.
Grace and peace to you.
So when I think of Michael Jackson, I don't think of an adorable singer of the Jackson 5. I don't even think of the 80s pop legend. I think of a pasty white pedophile (unconvicted, sorry). Why would I mourn that? (Answer: I wouldn't.)
Seriously, Michael Jackson is simply the fodder for jokes. I know you've heard plenty of them. My favorite is this: "Only in America can a poor black boy grow up to become a rich white woman."
When you tell me that Michael Jackson is dead: here's the sort of stuff that goes through my head:
Never say never, Neverland Ranch.
Finally he can achieve that perfect, pale, vampire color, without the blood in his cheeks to interfere.
Justice is served!
The children are safe!
I'm not proud of it, but my first reaction on hearing confirmation that Michael Jackson was dead was one of joy. I was seriously tired of hearing about the guy, and I will never have to hear about his exploits again. Good news.
Immediately (and I do mean immediately) after expressing sentiments to that effect, I felt very guilty. Not because Michael Jackson is dead, but because he may well have died without believing the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ - that Jesus Christ, Son of God, lived a sinless life and nonetheless suffered the penalty for our sins, on our behalf. After dying in our place, he was resurrected from the grave, proving his claims to divinity and authority, and now extends his grace to those whom he has called and who will receive his gift.
If Michael Jackson died without the gift of grace extended from the Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit, then he will be subject to eternal judgment for his crimes and sins. The punishment is just, but it is no cause for joy. That I should rejoice because a fellow human being, created in the image of God, but corrupted by sin just like myself, has died and may face terrible wrath--that is offensive, immoral, and assinine.
I have no particular love for, or connection to, Michael Jackson. And consequently, I don't know if he had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ or not. My hope is that he did, and that I might eventually find a great kinship with him in the presence of God; but my honest understanding of his life leads me to be less optimistic. I mourn Michael Jackson's death because he represents one of billions of people who die apart from the Love of God: love from the Father, expressed through the life, death, and resurrection of his Son Jesus the Christ, expressed by the action of the Holy Spirit in the world even today. The sad truth is that the world will not be much, if any, different for Michael's passing; but for everyone who dies apart from the Gospel, the world will be forever different and alien because they missed the opportunity of a lifetime.
I pray that as you read this, that God would be at work in your heart. Death is a tragedy that strikes us all, and that unexpectedly. I have no fear of death because I believe with certainty that God has made himself very clear through the Bible, and that those who believe what He says about Himself and us will be given the undeserved gift of redemption from our wickedness and the penalty we're facing. But for those of us who have not yet died, who have not yet paid the penalty for our evil actions, our evil inactions, or our evil thoughts, there are two good reasons to keep on living: to hear the Gospel for ourselves, and to tell others about the Good News.
I pray that you would hear the Gospel, whether for the first time or not, that it would bring you comfort and joy, and that you will share it with others. It may be too late for Michael Jackson, I trust God with him now. It is not too late for us.
Grace and peace to you.