Going Home?

As I write this article, Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett have just died. The press is rabid with specials to capture the impact these two people made on our culture and world. In many ways, it is sad to consider Michael Jackson's life, arguably the most talented entertainer of our generation. With his strange behavior he gave the press and the late night shows fodder for their jokes. Michael Jackson was a professed Jehovah's Witness. Farrah Fawcett, a Roman Catholic, was a star who captured the hearts of young Americans in the 70's and 80's with her hairdo and smile. She posed twice for Playboy and birthed a son, Redman, whom she loved but is now in jail. She lived with Ryan O'Neal for close to 17 years but never married him, even though he asked her many times.

What does this have to do with us? If I heard it once I heard it a thousand times today that both of these stars were "good people" who are now dancing with the angels, that they are in a better place, that their legacies will live on forever, and that as one newsman said, "heaven is having a great big party with Ed McMahon (who also died this week) as God's "side-kick." I do not dare judge the accuracy of where these people are now. That, as our president has said on another matter, is above my pay grade. I merely entrust both of these talented people into the hands of a merciful and loving God Who does all things well.

Our heartstrings are touched with stories about how Farrah Fawcett died, how brave she was, how much she suffered, and how many lives she touched as an American sex symbol. Her death was a public matter for over one year. She suffered long and hard from a painful and rare cancer. Her doctor spoke of her last moments saying "she was pain-free and having a beautiful time in her transition." Michael Jackson died suddenly of cardiac arrest. It is suspected that the myriad of medications he took may have caused his heart to give out. We will see in due time.

Fans from around the world now line the streets with single gloved hands, blaring music from "Thriller," holding umbrellas, posters, and doing "moon walks." Like Elvis, the King of Pop Rock is dead. I am sure many 50 and 60 something women will whip out their yearbooks to show their grandkids how they copied (or should I say tried to copy) Farrah Fawcett's 70's hairdo. Many 50 and 60 something men will search the attic for that famous poster of her in that red one piece bathing suit that sold more copies than any other poster in history. (For the record, I never had one and do not now have one). But now they are both now dead. Although I did not know either of them personally, I do know the most dramatic moment they ever had in their entire lives. It was the exact moment they died and stood before a Holy God Who asked them both one very simple question, "What have you done with my Son, Jesus, and the glorious salvation He came to provide?" Depending on their truthful answers to this question, we can either rejoice in the salvation of their souls or weep over their loss.

In my 40 years of ministry, I have held the hand of many saints who slipped away into eternity quietly and without public fanfare. No one lined the streets. Many died without anyone knowing or caring. But, when God commissions His angels to "go get my child," when they who know Christ stand before God, and He asks them the same question, there is a great celebration in heaven as one more of His redeemed come home professing their faith in the Savior and His work on the cross. This is why the Bible says, "Precious in the sight of God are the deaths of His children." I pray they knew Him.

On June 28th, 2009 I will have preached a message on John 14:1-6 where Jesus says,

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." Thomas said to him, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?" Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

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