Untimely Death

The people of the world morn what they call the “untimely death” of Michael Jackson. What they don’t realize is that death is always on time. It is the Lord who gives us life and it is He alone who decides when we will die. Hebrews 9:27 says: “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:”

The real tragedy here is not that Michael Jackson died. He was destined to die. The question is, where is he now. Wherever he is, he will be there for all eternity. Try and count each individual sand pebble at the seashore. Eternity will go on longer than the sands at the beach.

Over 2,000 years ago Jesus was born and lived among us. He came to teach us about Eternal Life and the Kingdom of God. He gave His life and was crucified and bore the punishment for our sins so that we may inherit that life. He taught us what repentance is and how to gain eternal life by dying to self and losing our lives in this world. He has many other wonderful things to say about this new life in His word.

Just as Jesus predicted, there are many, many false prophets in the world today. You can hear their voices coming from the pulpits of many churches in America today. They are on TV and the internet. They live in our neighborhoods. They preach a false gospel. They preach a man-made gospel of greed and self. They will tell you how to live your best life now. They will tickle your ears with words that are pleasing.

Listen to what Jesus said: “And he said to [them] all, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Mark 8:34)

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

The “CROSS” is an instrument of death. If you want the life that Jesus talks about this is what you must do. The cross is a daily laying down of your life. You must lay down your life every day and do the will of the Father, just as Jesus did. This sounds impossible! Well, it is. You cannot do this yourself, by your own flesh, because flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. It is by grace. God will give you the grace that you need to do what he calls you to do.

But Jesus beheld [them], and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26) Jesus said this to his disciples right after a rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life.

So there you have it right from the lips of the Savior.

This life is available to anyone who seeks it. It’s free but it will cost you something. It will cost you your life in this world. It’s a life that is short as we measure time. As the people of the world measure time Michael Jackson’s time on this earth was short. So teach [us] to number our days, that we may apply [our] hearts unto wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

Creeky