We have just come through days of national mourning for Michael Jackson, admittedly one of the most gifted and talented entertainers in our nation’s history. As I have observed the endless media news cycles covering the death and memorial, the pages of newsprint, the comments and discussions going on everywhere about this “king-of-pop” it is obvious that for many an entertainment idol like Michael become the object of near-worship for millions of Americans.

Consider for example this quote from a Professor Cornel West on the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS:

“It’s almost like a crucifixion, in terms of the cross you have to bear. We reap the fruits of the resurrection, in terms of the power that emanates from his (Michael Jackson’s) sacrifice. He sacrificed his childhood because he loved us so. He didn’t just entertain us, he sustained us.”

Wow. Lofty Christ-comparison words for a singer and dancer with a very troubled life who made very poor decisions at many turns in his life and career.

Columnist John Kass, on the other hand, wrote about Jackson’s Memorial Service in less than reverent terms in the July 6 Chicago Tribune, referring to it as a “creep-fest variety show/memorial service” with “weeping and the giant image of Jackson floating over the crowd, arms outstretched, as if on a cross.”

To be sure, we are a nation divided in our opinions of Jackson’s significance, yet are all riveted it seems to every broadcast and story about him as it dominates our media. Even Fox News personnel admitted the other night that every time they pull away from Jackson’s story to other news, their ratings plummet, and when they return, they rise.

All of this over a music superstar who distorted his face and skin color in multiple surgeries, spent his life trying to cope with a violent upbringing with his father, was accused multiple times of child sexual abuse and admitted he slept multiple times with other people’s young children, all the while professing innocence yet paid one family $20 million to quiet their accusations.

I come away from the media madness with a lot of questions and no answers. Why do we create idols of our entertainers? Why do we raise them to such high spiritual levels then feel crushed or even deny reality when they fall so mightily? Why do we need to treat our court jesters with reverence? Why can’t we just accept their gifts, enjoy their talents, and remind ourselves they are, like the rest of us, born sinners with very flawed lives?

I am a committed baseball fan. It’s another type of entertainment, complete with characters who have great gifts yet live flawed lives and often become the object of near-worship by the fans. As I watched one of my baseball heroes have his career night the other evening, with three home runs and seven rbi’s in one game including a dramatic grand slam, I made the comment to those in the room “that’s the kind of player you want your kids to grow up to be like.” Someone responded: “Are you sure?” It occured to me – I know so little about this seemingly good man! Yet there I was – elevating him to lofty status.

We all do it, don’t we? With whatever or whoever we love and enjoy, feel inspired by and are, yes, entertained by. We have this deep need to elevate these people – to somehow find sustenance from them, incarnational meaning for our lives.

Many have been tempted to think across the years that all of the Old Testament warnings about “idol worship” were passe for us today – “that’s the OLD Testament – we don’t have those issues anymore.” We think that way because most of us don’t have statues or images that we pray to and worship.

What is becoming increasingly clear to me as I grow older is that we have allowed various people and interests to become idols for us – and often cross the line of worship, probably without even knowing it. The thundering voice of God still resonates, then, today, doesn’t it? “YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER gODS BEFORE ME!”

You see, that’s the key thing here. No other gods – no worship – only HE deserves that!

SO – enjoy their gifts, savor their talents, marvel in their abilities, applaud and shout your approval – but remember the clear realities. They are entertainers! They are sinful, flawed human beings who often make terrible decisions, as are all of us without Christ – and often even with Him! It keeps everything in perspective, doesn’t it?