Billy Graham – God’s ambassador
Throughout history, God called various people to proclaim the message of repentance, salvation, reconciliation, security, and peace. You might remember several of those names: Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John (the Baptist), the Apostle Paul, Luther, Charles Finney, D.L. Moody and Smith Wigglesworth. And God called William (Billy) Franklin Graham Jr. to join that elite group.
I’ll never forget the time I met Billy Graham in Los Alamos, N.M.
Billy’s sister-in-law, Rosa Montgomery, and her husband, Don, lived in Los Alamos and we visited them often. Rosa had been my wife’s Bible teacher back in the 1950s, and Don worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory.
One day Don called me and said, “Billy’s here in Los Alamos and will be speaking in the main Lab auditorium tomorrow. I want you to sit with me and meet him after his talk.”
“He can’t preach at the Lab — what’s he going to talk about?”
“His topic is ‘One Man’s View of the World’s Situation Today,’ and I’ll pick you up at 8:15 in the morning.”
“I’ll be ready” I responded.
Billy Graham spelled out the problems that the world — not just the U.S. — was facing, and he made it clear that there appeared to be no resolution for them. But then, not allowed to preach, he ended with two statements that wrapped it all up: “Of course, the answers to these problems are found in a relationship with the Lord, Jesus Christ. God bless you.”
The 800-plus people in the auditorium gave him a thunderous, standing ovation, and began gathering around him. Everyone wanted to shake hands with the famous Dr. Billy Graham. “Great talk, Dr. Graham.” “Thank you for coming, sir.” “It is an honor to hear you, Mr. Graham.” And the accolades continued.
“Come up with me and meet my brother,” Don said. So we got in line.
“Billy, this is Gene, my good friend who also works here at the Lab.”
I looked up at this big man, standing 6 feet, 4 inches tall (at that time). I am only 5-8. What could I say that hadn’t already been articulated? I said, “Bless you, Doc.”
I’ll never forget it: He smiled, wrapped his arms around me, and gave me a bear hug. “Bless you, too, son.”
Billy probably didn’t remember me later, and that’s okay. He didn’t have time to remember everyone he met; he had a much broader vision of life. As Vice President Mike Pence said, “Billy Graham’s ministry for the gospel of Jesus Christ and his matchless voice changed the lives of millions.”
Throughout history, God called various people to proclaim the message of repentance, salvation, reconciliation, security, and peace. You might remember several of those names: Noah, Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, John (the Baptist), the Apostle Paul, Luther, Charles Finney, D.L. Moody, and Smith Wigglesworth. And God called William (Billy) Franklin Graham Jr. to join that elite group.
Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention said, “Billy Graham was, in my view, the most important evangelist since the Apostle Paul. He preached Christ, not himself, not politics, not prosperity.”
However, God used Billy in the social fabric of the world. In spite of powerful opposition in the 1960s, he refused to preach to segregated audiences. And surprisingly, President Johnson awarded Billy and Ruth the Congressional Gold Medal in 1966. Billy also wrote 33 books to help people understand life with Christ and life in heaven.
Russell Moore continued, “What Billy Graham taught us is all summed up in the invitation hymn … ‘Just as I am, without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me.’”
Admitting that “I am just a sinner, saved by grace,” Billy Graham said, “My one purpose in life is to help people find a personal relationship with God, which, I believe, comes through knowing Christ.”
But he did more than that. As God’s ambassador, Billy dynamically lived for Jesus Christ. Robert Morris, founding pastor of Gateway Church in Dallas said, “Rev. Billy Graham was one of the most faithful followers of Jesus. He made a huge impact in my life, and even led my wife, Debbie, to the Lord. This world will miss him, but we celebrate that he is now with the One he loved so much.”
The love of his life on the human level was his beloved Ruth. Married for 64 years, Ruth died in 2007. I suppose we can say: Billy and Ruth are together again. And I am sure he will not be sitting on a cloud playing a harp; for I believe God has more for Billy Graham to do in heaven. Leaving this life is merely the transition for what’s to come.
Bless you, Doc.
— Gene Linzey is a speaker, author, mentor and president of the Siloam Springs Writers Guild. Send comments and questions to masters.servant@cox.net. The opinions expressed are those of the author.