Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Jesus Christ-what do they have in common?Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, Jesus Christ-what do they have in common?
These three men are all worshiped by some and hated by others. Each of them suffered from a fame so big that nearly all people know who each of them was. All of them died young under horrific circumstances and each man was called "king" by some.
Beyond that you would probably think that the only parallels you could draw are between Presley and Jackson. After all, Christ was not a musician or an addict. He was not rich or reclusive. He never married or had children and he didn't overdose on drugs as Elvis did and Michael may have. So what else could they possibly have in common?
In Wm. Paul Young's The Shack (reviewed
in a previous article), the main character tells Christ that he is sorry that Jesus went through such pain and torture. Jesus tells him that he would gladly do it all over again even if it was only for him. It is at this point that Mack realizes the depth of God's love for him. And when he hears God say he is "especially fond" of someone a few times he thinks God likes certain people more. But he quickly learns that God feels "especially fond" of everyone.
Mack finally understands that God loves him just as he is. He also sees that God loves all of his children just as they are and considers each and every one of them special.
And so there is one more thing that The King of Rock and Roll, The King of Pop, and The King of the Jews all have in common. And it is a commonality that they share with each and every one of us. They are deeply and completely loved by God. We are all deeply and completely loved by God. You are deeply and completely loved by God.