The world watched and waited as conflicting stories were reported.

“Michael Jackson Collapses”

“Michael Jackson Has Died”

“Michael Jackson in a Coma”

And then, finally, confirmation: “Michael Jackson Dead at Age 50”

As one of my colleagues pointed out, “You will always remember where you were when Michael Jackson died.”  I was at work, sitting at my desk.

The World Reacts

The world reacted as it often does when confronted with the finality of death. 

“He is finally at peace.  Michael Jackson is a legend.  He will always be the King of Pop.  RIP Michael.”

I was deeply disturbed and saddened by the reaction I witnessed.  It seems as if world creates its own reality, its own God, in the face of death.  Peace, rest, heaven, and paradise for all who have passed. 

Though I do not wish to be disrespectful, I desperately want the world to know the truth – the truth about death, the truth about life, the truth about sin, the truth about God, the truth of the Gospel.  Beyond this world, peace only comes to those who have been reconciled to their Creator by the blood of Christ. 

I know nothing regarding Michael Jackson’s spiritual condition, nor do I care to speculate.  What I do know is that people around me, people around the world, have been sobered by yesterday’s events.  Do Christians not have an obligation to, lovingly and respectfully, share the truth of Gospel with the world around them, even in times such as these?  Especially in times such as these?

Truth

Below are two reactions, among many, that I found to be striking:

John Piper stated the following on Twitter: “Farrah Fawcett (62), Michael Jackson (50) and 150,000 others: "A flower of the field; the wind passes, and it is gone."

Piper was, of course, quoting Psalm 103:

As for man, his days are like grass;
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
16 for the wind passes over it, and it is gone,
and its place knows it no more.  (Psalm 103:15-16, ESV)

Justin Taylor had this to say:

He is dead at the age of 50. He had everything the world offered–but no Jesus.

I remember once looking at the liner notes from an album of his, and he quoted the final lines from William Ernest Henley’s famous poem, Invictus:

I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

Those are not the words you want written on your tombstone.

The King of Pop

Michael Jackson dead at the age of 50.  He was an incredibly talented man, beloved my millions, and will be remembered as a legend.

Still…the truth remains.