Passing, Pondering, and Preparation
July 5, 2009
The world was shocked last Thursday afternoon when news of the sudden death of Michael Jackson permeated the air waves. Actress Farrah Fawcett also died earlier that day after a long battle with cancer. On Sunday morning, well-known television pitch man Billy Mays died, as well. Of course, we know that death is nothing new (Heb. 9:27), and thousands of people pass from this life each day. But when celebrities die, our attention is arrested and we are forced to ponder our own mortality. Think of Farrah Fawcett. Do you remember her in Charlie’s Angels? And what teen-aged boy did not have a copy of that famous poster (I sure did!)? But Farrah is no longer here. Consider Michael Jackson. This man had been performing since he was a child. A superstar perhaps unequaled in the annals of performance history, Jackson was and will forever be “the Thriller.” But his moonwalk has ended. The booming voice and jet-black hair of Billy Mays made him famous as he sold every household product imaginable. But his pitch is indefinitely paused. There is a message here for us, West Broad and friends: death is coming. His arrival may be expected, as in Farrah’s case. But it may also be entirely unexpected, as it was with Jackson and Mays. Expected or unexpected, beloved, are you prepared to die today (Amos 4:12; Jn. 3:3; Acts 4:12)? Don’t fall for Satan’s “I’ve got plenty of time” line. Sure, you might live another sixty years. Or it could be another sixty minutes. Think about it, friend. Please. —JLNJR
