As the world sits stunned at Michael Jackson’s death, it brings up the most important question that we ask: Why are we here?

I am flipping through late night TV and every news and entertainment channel is covering his death. After all, he is the king of pop—so they say. Sheryl Crow has become his spokesperson, having been a backup singer 20 years ago. She attributes his life to the legacy that he leaves with “his moves.” “He created something that was never seen before, and that is remarkable.” Though this is true, is that all that Michael had to contribute to this world?

I don’t think that his influence singing, dancing, and selling millions of records made him any more satisfied. After Michael Jackson’s Billy Jean days, his skin continued to get more and more plastic, and his complexion more and more Caucasian, and his overall appearance more and more feminine. It is painful for me to look at his pale, gaunt face because what lies behind it is pain.

But ever since Eve ate the apple, there has been pain in the world. So God began to pursue humankind. He established his covenant  (Leviticus 26:12) where he says, “You will be my people, and I will be your God.” God continued to pursue man when he humbled himself 2,000 years ago and made himself a man. His murder and resurrection bore the payment of everyone’s sin. Now we have access to a relationship with him, and the Holy Spirit.

But there is coming a day when Jesus comes back to this earth to establish a new earth. Pain and death will be forever defeated, and Christ will reign. “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God” (Revelation 21:3). Along with this promise is the promise that tears and pain will be washed away. 

We are here to respond to God's pursuit of love.