Billy Graham was a leading spiritual leader who preached to hundreds of millions during his life time. He served as a minister to presidents, statesmen and world leaders and held crusades all over the world.
His answers to central spiritual questions about the meaning of life and the afterlife is central.
Why do we celebrate the Christian holiday of Easter? It has been one of the strongest traditions in the West, yet in the post-Christian West many struggle to understand the meaning of this sacred holiday.
Over the years, people have written Billy Graham concerning their questions about its significance. Here, we have chosen several of the most commonly asked questions about this observance—along with Billy Graham’s answers, writes TAPinto.
Why do we celebrate Easter? Reverend Billy Graham spoke to 250 million about the Christian message, over a time span of 60 years. His large-scale preaching crusades filled the stadiums all over the world as he travelled extensively for many years. His friendship with numerous U.S. presidents and leading officials all over the world brought him to international prominence. Graham died in 2018.
Question: I’ve never understood why people refer to the day that Jesus died as “Good Friday.” It seems to me that Jesus’ death was a great tragedy, because it brought the life of an innocent man to an end. What’s so good about that?
Billy Graham answers: – You’re right, up to a point; Jesus was innocent of any crime, and from a human standpoint He didn’t deserve to die. You also are right in saying that Jesus’ death was a great tragedy—for it was.
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Why do we celebrate Easter? Question: Did Jesus realize that He was going to be arrested and put to death when He went to Jerusalem for the last time? It seems to me that He easily could have called on the crowds who supported Him to demand His release. Then He could have avoided what happened afterward. Why didn’t He?
Billy Graham answers: – Jesus probably could have incited them into action and thus avoided His arrest and death. But He didn’t—and the reason is because He knew He had come into the world to die for our sins.
Shortly before going to Jerusalem, He warned His disciples that “He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him” (Luke 18:32). Later He told the Roman governor, Pilate, “For this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world” (John 18:37).
Question: I have a friend who doesn’t bother with God or church most of the year, but as Easter approaches she suddenly gets religious—goes to church, observes Lent and so forth. Do you think she’s a real Christian, or is it all fake?
Billy Graham: – Only God knows your friend’s heart, and whether or not she sincerely wants to follow Jesus and has committed her life to Him.
Perhaps a seed of faith was planted in her heart as a child, and as Easter approaches she senses a need to have it grow.
Question: In your opinion, which was more important, Jesus’ death on the cross or His resurrection from the dead? Some of us were talking about this the other day in our small group Bible study, and we couldn’t come to any conclusion.
Billy Graham answers: – Both Jesus’ death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead are equally important; they cannot be separated from each other.
Without Jesus’ death, we have no hope of God’s forgiveness; and without Jesus’ resurrection, we have no hope of eternal life. Like the two wings of an airplane, both are essential!
Question: This Easter, I felt kind of a tug in my heart to give God a bigger place in my life. How do you suggest I go about doing this?
Billy Graham: I’m thankful for that “tug” toward God you felt in your heart—and I want to assure you that it didn’t happen by chance. Instead, God gave it to you, and right now He is drawing you to Himself. Jesus said, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44).
