Michael Jackson died Thursday and although I can't explain it and I never would have expected it, I feel sad. I've had a long history with Mr. Jackson.
I became a Christian about the same time he rose to megastar status with the "Thriller" album. In the years that followed Michael personified the 'enemy' for me because as a youth pastor I was trying to keep young people from being 'secularized' by pop music and MTV. I remember when the controversy broke about the alleged child molestation case, my take on it was, "Are you surprised? He's been molesting the minds of our children for years!" Looking back on it now I probably made much more of a fuss than I should have. I still believe music with a fallen world view can be very unhealthy for us spiritually, but I'm not nearly as uptight about it as I once was.
For all the fuss, I must admit Mr. Jackson was an incredible talent. The artistic side of me yearns to see the church be as creative with our message as he was with his craft.
Then there's the humanitarian side of Jackson's career that provokes me to do more to make a difference. From "We Are the World" to "Man In The Mirror," Michael confronted things that those of us in America's pulpits often ignore.
I realize that Michael Jackson was a very controversial figure. So a post like this will probably be met with controversy. There will always be those who demonize him, as I did for years. Who knows if he was guilty of the things he was accused? God does.
According to reports, Jackson was a Jehovah's Witness early in his career. (One more bizarre aspect of the man's story.) I know the Jehovah's Witness organization is way off-base Biblically, but I raise the point to say that Michael obviously had a spiritual hunger. I can only hope that someone was able to get to him through all the paparazzi and personal entourage and share the truth of the gospel with him. I hope the king of pop somehow met the King of Kings. It would be fun to moonwalk with him on the streets of gold one day.
My sorry is for his poor kids.. they never really had much of a life... I don't see him as the enemy. I see the enemy as the enemy. He only used Michael.
ReplyDeleteGood point Rachel. It's interesting: So many point to his childhood to explain so much of his bizarre behavior. Now his children will have to deal with growing up in the environment that behavior created. Family carried out under the Lordship of Jesus Christ is so important!
ReplyDeleteI too feel for his children that are left behind. Regardless of the kind of man he was or was not, they are the ones suffering right now.
ReplyDeleteFor what it's worth, i'm glad that my youth pastor tried to keep young people from being "secularized". :-)
Great posting Pastor Jeff...only God knows if he called out to the King of Kings at any point in his life, and He alone knows if Michael is guilty of all the charges placed against him. It is hard not to judge when all we see is the outside happenings of a person's life. The Bible does say "we will know them by their fruits". What kind of fruit did Michael Jackson produce?? Let's hope along with you, Pastor, that we can dance along with Michael to the Heavenly tunes "on that Glorious Day"!
ReplyDeleteWell said, Jeff. Thanks for a thoughtful and nuanced post.
ReplyDeleteI hope he made it too. I'd like him to teach me the moonwalk. ( And since we'll be in our glorified bodies, rhythm and such won't be an issue.) :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post. Well said -- all of it.
Bro Jeff, I must say I agree with your thoughts. I must ad that my concern is more now for him becoming even more of an idol in the minds of people. He did both "good" and "bad", but without Jesus it was all in vain.
ReplyDeleteHe did a lot artistically, but you are right about the damage he did to the minds of people. He did go places that the church was way too comfortable to go, and that is more of a judgment against us than a redemption for him.
I would hope that we remember that he was no hero in this life, and he can't become one in his death. ...
The King of Pop accounted himself before the King of the Universe..(like all of us will)
ReplyDeleteWe never know his last hours he may have called out to God.
ReplyDeleteDude, great blog entry... well said!
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Gene...it is so sad and very sobering to think that he was idolized by many, just like Elvis...as we all are accountable for our lives, so is Michael Jackson. I do hope that he called out to Jesus before he passed...
ReplyDeleteI feel bad too. He was too young. My age . Ewww. You never know. I know where I headed Pastor. Thank you for all that you do and the influence in our lives.
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