Billy Graham’s Example
Although we knew Billy Graham’s death would come soon, it is still hard to fathom the world without him here. His death was not really a shock. After all, he was almost 100 years old. But still, I feel a certain emptiness now that he is gone. However, I must remember his wise words, “Some day you will read or hear that Billy Graham is dead. Don’t you believe a word of it. I shall be more alive than I am now. I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”
These words apply to all of us who have asked the Lord Jesus Christ to forgive us for our sins and have committed our lives to follow Him. Receiving Jesus into our lives opens the way for us to someday join Billy Graham in our heavenly home.
Over the years God has used him to reach thousands, if not millions, of people with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I grew up watching his crusades on television and was blessed to be a part of the counseling team for the Rochester, NY Crusade in 1988. No matter how many crusades I watched, my eyes always watered when I heard the choirs sing, “Just As I Am Without One Plea,” and saw people streaming out of their seats to make their way onto the fields to commit their lives to Christ.
We now remember the life of a man so committed to Jesus that he spent hours each day reading God’s Word and praying in preparation for sharing the Good News of Jesus to people young and old, rich and poor, politically powerful, and ordinary. He ministered to people in all walks of life and was never ashamed to stand up for the teachings in the Word of God. He taught about Heaven, but also warned about Hell. He called people to repent from sin and to allow the righteousness of Jesus Christ to fill them and change them.
Today we have many of his books and can watch videos of his preaching. The Billy Graham Association continues to spread the gospel, to assist people in times of tragedy, to offer counseling, and to make available literature and web posts to bring people to Christ. The Crusades continue, even though Billy is not there to speak. He planted seeds of faith which God has watered and has brought io a great harvest.
The quote above concerning listening is from his book, Death and the Life After by Billy Graham (1994-07-03)
Billy Graham is an example of faith to us. But this humble man would not want us to make much of his greatness. He would point us to look at Jesus Christ, the only perfect man who has ever walked upon this earth. Let’s follow his example and point people to Jesus.
