Billy

William Franklin Graham (November 7, 1918 - February 21, 2018)

12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”14How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bpreach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10: 12 - 15 NKJV

It was with sadness this week that I learned of the passing of the reverend William Franklin Graham Jr.  I had known that in his later years Americas preacher had been struggling with health issues, but even through these trials he continued to proclaim Christ Jesus at every opportunity.  That was who he was.  We have yet to comprehend the magnitude of his legacy, but rest assured that it will live on long after he has passed.  I first saw Billy Graham as most around the world did, on television.  My mother would often watch the reverend Grahams crusades on television whenever they would come on.  I can still hear her singing "Just as I am" as Billy would call others to join him at the altar call that would end each crusade broadcast.  Long before the Promise Keepers stadium conferences, Billy Graham was filling arenas, stadiums and other venues wherever he would speak.  I always felt drawn to his words as he would proclaim the love of Christ for all men.  Even though I was a christian myself, his sermons would always touch my heart.  Perhaps that was part of what made his message so timeless, for he spoke not of condemnation but of finding love and forgiveness at the cross of Christ Jesus.  He didn't convict as that wasn't is job.  No, the message from the pulpit of the reverend Graham was one of love and mercy and not fire and brimstone.  I believe that this is exactly why so many people worldwide found his message of the gospel of Christ Jesus so endearing.  Billy Graham was the same person in the pulpit that he was in his private life.  In fact, I would argue that he was completely at home in the pulpit proclaiming our Lords truth.

6For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5: 6 - 8 NKJV

One thing I've noticed about the reverend Graham was his message of Christ Jesus in us {Galations 2:20}.  Now, while I believe that this is the truth of Christ, I've seldom heard it proclaimed from the pulpits of our churches.  Once again, Billy Graham bucked the trend of institutional christianity.  Though he was a simple southern baptist preacher, he had a way of speaking to people that left a lasting impression.  Not only did his words speak to me, but to other world leaders over the years as well.
So much so that he became known as the spiritual advisor to each American president from Harry S Truman to Barak Obama.  It was not a uncommon sight in our nations times of crisis to see the reverend Graham in the company of our nations leaders.  I have heard others say that we need to bring God back into our government, to restore the faith centered culture we once had.  Well, for many years, it was Billy Grahams voice that would advise our nations leaders.  We may never know just what he spoke in his interactions with various presidents, but we can be assured that it was the same message of love and mercy he spoke to millions of others.  That's just who he was.
I came across a Facebook post from Franklin Graham the other day that made me stop and ponder the legacy of his father.  There, placed behind a pulpit was the simple plywood casket of the reverend William Franklin Graham.  Not a ornate casket, mind you, but one constructed by the inmates of a local prison as his own wife Ruths had been in 2007.  One would think that a man of such popularity and prestige would have required a much grander resting place.  This man who had preached to millions and who had become friends with many world leaders deserved so much better...so you would think.  However, I believe that this simple casket is part of the endearing legacy of Americas preacher.  As Billy Graham so often proclaimed, his reward lay in Gods presence in heaven and not in this life.  I would agree with anyone who would describe this man as just a simple southern preacher.  For the lives that he impacted, however, Billy Grahams legacy is far from that of a ordinary man.

19“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20“teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.
Matthew 28: 19 - 20 NKJV

~Scott~