I Remember Elvis

January 8:
This is one of those stories that fascinates me…

“MEMPHIS, Tennessee (Reuters) - The cold couldn't keep them away from the "King."
Hundreds of Elvis Presley fans braved frigid, snowy weather to celebrate the late rock 'n 'roll legend's 75th birthday on Friday at his Graceland shrine, part of a marketing machine that generates $50 million a year.
"It feels like his presence is here," long-time Elvis devotee Debbie Bradshaw of Texas said during a tour of the Memphis mansion where Presley died in 1977 from heart failure, aged 42.
Some 1,500 people shivered and sang along with the early Presley hit "That's All Right" in 11-degree temperatures (minus 11.7 Celsius) as snowflakes swirled.”

Fifteen hundred people came to a birthday party for a man who died thirty-three years ago. Fifteen hundred people stood in 11-degree temperatures hoping for what? Hoping to do what? Is it a memorial? A tribute? Or is it like spending the day at Disney? I honestly don’t get it. Maybe they were serving really good cake.

I suppose you could say that they came to honor this man’s contribution to the music world. But, do you think there will be fifteen hundred people gathering on the 27th to remember Mozart’s birthday? He’s been dead 219 years. Is there a statute of limitations on honoring dead musical geniuses?

Now, this whole conversation might seem a bit strange coming from a guy who has chosen to build his life around a man who died almost 2000 years ago. So, what’s the difference between Elvis and Jesus? Jesus changed the world and Elvis changed the world. Not to the same degree as Jesus, but I admit that his contribution was significant. Jesus has followers. Elvis has followers. Not nearly as many as Jesus, but fifteen hundred people gathering in the cold after thirty-three years is quite an accomplishment. Jesus died. Elvis died. I think that even the faithful who gathered in Memphis today are willing to admit that “The King” is dead. But this is where we part company. The thing that inspires and empowers the followers of Jesus is a conviction that our King, who once was dead, is now alive.

I understand that there are people who think Christians are as “loony” as half frozen Elvis groupies. But, what can you do? This is our testimony to the world. Jesus is alive. I just hope that they see it reflected in my life.