Michael Jackson, Dead at 50

I tried to sort out conflicting news reports and Tweets for a couple of hours, but it's been official for a while now, according to several news sources: Michael Jackson, aka "The King of Pop," has died at the UCLA Medical Center, in Los Angeles.

According to a Los Angeles Times story, Jackson, 50, was not breathing when paramedics responded to a call at his home at about 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time today. The LA Times account says paramedics performed CPR and then took Jackson to the medical facility. He was pronounced dead at 2:30 p.m. His death comes before he was to kick off a 50-concert run in London. It is believed he suffered cardiac arrest at his home; at the hospital, he was in a deep coma, according to the LA Times.

Michael Jackson was known for selling hundreds of millions of albums in his lifetime to fiercely loyal fans and affecting a few generations--and more than a few artists--with his music. This goes for secular and Christian artists alike--after the news became certain, Richie Righteous acknowledged via Twitter that he had been influenced by the late pop singer. And the influence of the Gloved One was pretty clear to me on Deitrick Haddon's 2008 release, "Revealed," down to the ensemble Haddon wore of the cover of the album.

From the kid with the Afro and the high-pitched voice, to the man with the constantly changing visage, there are many Michaels to remember, and many moments to savor. Though those memories were marred for many in recent years by charges of molestation against Jackson, his influence in the global lexicon of music, in style, and in swagger (Motown 25, anyone?) remain. He will be greatly missed.

On a spiritual level, there are many lessons for us all to learn from Jackson's death. One, similar to my recent editorial on Jay-Z, is that we should watch ourselves and others for idolatry of Jackson, who was the epitome of superstardom and many times more successful than the Brooklyn MC. As has been voiced by several Christian Twitterers, to counter this, now is a good time to reach out to those who have been greatly affected by the news of Jackson's passing to share the news of the one King who never dies.

Others prayed that Jackson knew the Lord before his passing. Dwayne Tryumf Tweeted that Steve Harvey took Jackson to church and shared with him the Good News of Jesus Christ. We can all hope that the information made an impact on Jackson, and that he was saved. Let us also pray for his family at this time.

Lastly, I hope Christian artists continue to take heed to how much power music has to change people's lives. If any one urban Christian artist, or any group of them, can have even a fraction of the success that Jackson achieved at penetrating public consciousness, think of all the lives that would be saved and reinforced. Let's keep grinding!