We're All Flawed But We're Not All Pedophiles

Today on the radio, I heard a talk-show host say about Michael Jackson "we're all flawed, but we're not all pedophiles." I have to admit that I am a surprised at the reaction towards Michael Jackson's death. And, frankly, it kind of makes me mad.  For sure, we're all flawed.  But, where should we draw the line in honoring those who die?  

As far as I know, Jackson never repented of his alleged (he settled for millions in the case) sodomy of a 13 year old boy.  And, there have been many more claims leveled against him.  We know that he was troubled in many other ways.  Does he deserve our praise over the "few good men" who just died in Afghanistan?  The fact that many of us weren't even aware of the deaths of these fine men speaks volumes.  It gives insight into the waywardness of our culture that we honor Jackson instead.

The Hand Song

The boy only wanted to give Mother something
And all of her roses had bloomed
Looking at her as he came rushing in with them
Knowing her roses were doomed
All she could see were some thorns buried deep
And the tears that he cried as she tended his wounds

And she knew it was love
It was one she could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

He still remembers that night as a child
On his mother's knee
She held him close and she opened her bible
And quietly started to read
And seeing a picture of Jesus he cried out
"Momma, he's got some scars just like me."

And he knew it was love
It was one he could understand
He was showing His love
And that's how He hurt His hands

Now the boy's grown and moved out on his own
When Uncle Sam comes along
A foreign affair but our young men were there
And luck had his number drawn
It wasn't that long till our hero was gone
He gave to a friend what he learned from the cross

But they knew it was love
It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

It was one they could understand
He was showing his love
And that's how he hurt his hands

By Sarah Watkins
Performed by Nickel Creek

Deserting Jesus

It is difficult to imagine anyone suffering a more gruesome physical death than the one Jesus suffered.

"They will mock Him and spit on Him, and scourge Him
and kill Him, and three days later He will rise again." - Mark
10:34

...and that is exactly what happened. The Bible records that he was beaten so badly that he could not be recognized.

Jewish law prescribed that a scourging was 39 lashes with a whip of 9 tails. Each tail was made of leather, with sharpened animal bones and iron balls attached at the ends. A Roman soldier, probably of great strength, carried out the punishment on Jesus.
He also endured this: slapped; hit, beared plucked out, splinters from the rough wood penetrated his raw flesh, 3-inch thorns thrust into His is brow, the sun burned His skin, no water, spikes driven through his wrists and through the thickest part of both feet. Amazing.
It is easy to focus on the physical part of what Jesus endured. But, that was not the worst part. The worst part was the spiritual/relational part. Think about it.
Jesus' own nation rejected Him. What if ALL Americans turned against you and demanded your death. His friend Judas, whom He loved, betrayed Him to His death. When He needed them most, ALL of His best, closest friends fled and left Him to face death alone. Peter even denied He knew Jesus.
Then, His own Dad- God the Father, deserted Him.

At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "ELOI, ELOI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?" which is translated, "MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?" - Mark 15:34

There is nothing worse than separation from God. Being separated from God means that ALL the evil and depravity and curse and hatred and fear and bitterness are are ALL unconstrained and all-consuming. ALL love is absent when God is absent. It is too much for us to even begin to comprehend. Being separated from God is, without a doubt, the worse thing that could ever happen to anyone. In fact, all the evil things we've ever seen or could ever imagine combined cannot approach that level of awefulness.
That's what Jesus experienced. Much worse than we can imagine.

It had to happen. Jesus had to take our punishment.
When we think about Hell, what we think about is the fire and physical part. But, that is not the bad part. The bad part is the literal separation from our Dad - God the Father. This punishment is yours and mine. It is what we deserve.
God the Father has offered up Jesus. God is always just and He knows their must be punishment. But God is always love too. Justice requires our punishment. Love made Jesus a substitute.
What have you decided? Do you trust Jesus to be your replacement or are you ready to take your punishment? Easter is a good time to pick Jesus.