“The people’s pastor,” Billy Graham is dead. Or is he? He ranked decade after decade as one of the most admired people on the planet, and yet he was the first to admit his flaws. And that, perhaps, was the key to his strength: he was us. Unlike other admired leaders, the Dalai Lama, the Pope, Billy Graham seemed to represent all of us:
- He prayed at the National Cathedral for the victims of 9/11, and in New Orleans for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
- In the American south he refused to “preach Jim Crow,” insisting on speaking to all of God’s people. In my own adopted city of Cincinnati, he brought black and white people together in large numbers for the first time after the riots of 2001. Black and white leaders still speak of the changes that began that day.
- He counselled world leaders, not politically but personally—trying for political influence at one point, then abandoning it and asking God’s forgiveness. He spoke of that same forgiveness at Nixon’s funeral. He convinced President George W. Bush to renew his faith and quit drinking. President Bill Clinton said, “When he prays with you, you feel like he is praying for you, not the president.” He was the only preacher the contentious president of North Korea, Kim Il-sung, was willing to listen to.
Real humility can’t be faked. It comes from knowing who you are, and who your Creator is. Billy returned again and again to the message of John 3:16, a message displayed so frequently that we forget how cosmically important it is: We were created for a love relationship with God, but have turned away from that purpose, bringing death (alienation from Him) upon ourselves. And so He has reached out to do what we could not–restore us to eternal life with Him and one another (in the original language “eternal” refers not only to infinite time but infinite quality of life).
The Apostle Paul said that if the message Jesus’s followers embrace is false, then they are to be pitied (I Corinthians 15:9). But if it’s true, it’s everything: “The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6).
Billy Graham never forgot that.
“Someday 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.”
~Billy Graham
Beautiful tribute to a Great Man of God! My husband and I were talking this morning about all Bro. Graham has done to influence people everywhere with the powerful message of the gospel. May we do the same. Thanks for sharing this post.
My privilege to do so, Amy.
Sad! My spiritual life was enriched by his books. 🙁
I want to read one of his books but I do not know which one to read or start ,what would you suggest?
One of his memorable books was ‘Hope for the troubled heart’. 🙂
Hmm ..that sounds fitting at the moment. Thanking you I will check it out.
What a great man of God. Thanks for the very thoughtful tribute. His message will be missed.
Be blessed. God is with you.
You too, Michael.
A genuine man and his relationship with Christ shines through, what an inspiration
Amen!
A wonderful tribute to a disciple of Jesus
Amen. Thanks for this perfect tribute to an imperfect, yet deeply faithful man.
A far from perfect tribute, but thank you, Russ.
1 corinthians 40:34 stand on the word, thou shall soar thy wings, like an eagle in the sky.
john 3:41
Beautiful tribute, Mitch! He was truly a godly man and he will be missed so much!
A wonderful tribute and post, Mitch.
Thank you for the post and the remarkable quote – “I will just have changed my address. I will have gone into the presence of God.”
I still have the photos taken when he went to Hong Kong in 1975, I sang in the choir conducted by Cliff Barrows and never forget Gorge Beverly Shea’s I’d Rather Have Jesus!
What a wonderful memory to have, Miriam!
Yes, Mitch, today I found the crusade hymn book for the choir also!!
When I heard the news a few mornings ago I was at a loss for words. The impact of this man who gave his all to the Savior of the world will be felt for generations to come. His very presence and influence in our world will be missed in ways we can’t even imagine. We are a better world because God anointed this man for such a time as this.
I so love his quote about his own death! He will be missed!
I can only imagine the throng gathered near the gates of heaven to welcome Billy Graham home: thousands who accepted Jesus into their lives as a result of his preaching, others who came to faith through his writing, and still more souls impacted by the ripple effect. Praise God for his faithfulness, selflessness, and passion for God and his people.
You’re right, anyone can achieve short-term fame. But the kind of long-standing success that Billy Graham achieved only comes from sincerely doing what we are called to do, humbly and thankfully. Rev. Graham’s good works will live on for a long time….
He was a great man. I didn’t know all that about him, thanks for sharing your tribute. The last quote says so much.
Amen!!!!to every line and paragraph. I came to faith in Christ after watching a crusade that looked like heaven; black, white and brown people all praising God in the 60’s. He moved from his old house into a new one. That’s the joy of being home.
Amen back at you, Shasta!
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Aaaaaand, now the room is full of dust…
I love that Billy Graham quote at the end. That is my favorite one.
“Someday 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.”
There are a lot of people who try to fake boldness. But our boldness comes from our assurance. Doctrinally, he believed he was assured, but authentic boldness is also tied to how we live. He lived for Christ and it seeped out of him at every turn.
Yep.
Hi Mitch.
His impact was Jesus always has done through His children. It is fruit that lasts and man do we ever have hungry people now.
Thanks brother,
Gary