Michael Jackson, Steve McNair, Death, and Eternity

Got the following note on Facebook this afternoon from a church member: “Just curious, what are your thoughts on Michael Jackson?”

Honestly, I don’t have many MJ thoughts. I’m probably the only person on the planet who cannot name five MJ songs. And, I haven’t even seen one of his videos. (The closest I came to watching an MJ vid is a tribute dance by 1500 Filipino inmates.) So, I’m not really thinking about Michael Jackson a whole lot.

But I have been thinking about death and eternity.

Seems like all of Nashville is talking about death and the “consequences of bad decisions.” I’ve never seen anything like it around here. Since he was found dead with four bullets in his body on the 4th of July, Steve McNair’s life and untimely death have dominated barbershop and water cooler conversations. It has also dominated news, talk radio, blogs, and print media.

Here’s the short version of the sad story: Steve McNair was an amazing athlete, a millionaire, a married man, and a father of four. Coaches and teammates describe him as tough. Friends and fans describe him as humble, generous, and approachable—one who “gave back” to the community.

And, he had a twenty-year-old girlfriend who murdered him, then killed herself. Thirty-six years old is way too young to die.

I never met Steve, but I prayed for his wife and his four kids this morning. I can’t begin to understand their pain. They need the grace of God like never before.

What happens now? That’s the question the city seems to be wrestling with. All of us instinctively know we have an appointment with death. We can delay it, but we can’t avoid it.

Here’s what God’s word says about our unavoidable appointment:
“people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.” Hebrews 9:27

The next verse explains what God did to get us ready to face death and eternal judgment:
“so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many” Hebrews 9:28

Was Michael Jackson ready? I have no idea.
Was Steve McNair ready? I don’t know.
What about you—are you ready?