Billy Graham left us a few days ago. His song leader, Cliff Barrows preceded him by a couple of years. His vocalist, George Beverly Shea went on to his heavenly reward several years prior to that. They lived to be the grand old age(s) of 99, 93 and 104, respectively. I think God honored this ministry trio with exceptionally long lives.
Billy Graham preached an Easter sunrise service at a local park on the outskirts of Bartow, Florida sometime in the early 60’s; less than 2/3 of a mile from my childhood home. While my mother attended, I, having little or no use for “the things of God” at the time, did not. I regret it now.
Rev. Graham is due to lie in state in that lovely chapel located on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, North Carolina. And as February gives way to March he is scheduled to lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, D.C. Of course, the good reverend ministered to a grand total of 13 of our nation’s presidents; from Truman to Trump.(However, based on the moral mediocrity of some, it is fair to say they were not all impacted at the same level).
Like Graham, Shea came to our area a couple decades ago, and I was privileged to see him sing at a local church. I have watched George Beverly Shea’s funeral video on YouTube several times.
And as the notables, including the Commandant of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and George Beverly's wife and family, filed in they were proceeded by the casket in which he rested. A simple, but beautifully constructed pine casket.
Both Billy Graham and Cliff Barrows were in attendance that day; Barrows on the stage, and a rather frail Graham sitting with his son, left front.
And, lo and behold, when Cliff Barrows went on to be with the Savior, three years later, the container in which he would spend the remainder of his posthumous days on this planet was a virtual duplicate of his friend George Beverly Shea’s casket.
Pt. 2
And as I looking at my social media page a few minutes ago, I happened on a photo of Billy Graham’s casket. Need I tell you that it is a triplicate of his two friends’ pine receptacles? (Well, it is).
Odd, I thought. Very odd, indeed. And then it occurred to me that the whole thing must have been premeditated.
Apparently, the trio agreed, in advance, to procure for themselves caskets of pine; (the most plenteous and least expensive wood in existence). And, interestingly enough, Shea and Barrows are earnestly ‘waiting’ for their dear friend Billy; since the former of the two are buried on the grounds of the Billy Graham Library.
Three men who were given the distinct opportunity and privilege of impacting multiplied millions with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is estimated that 1 in 30 people living today, perhaps more, either attended, or viewed a Billy Graham Crusade on television. And who can say how many of that quarter of a billion souls came to a saving knowledge of the Savior?
And yet, for all the good they did, and the nobility of their offices before God, and among believers… they chose to rest in pine boxes. Did I mention that Rev. Billy’s casket was made by representatives of the prison population of Angola Prison in Louisiana? (Well, it was). And for all I know, these same prisoners made the previous two caskets before him.
Simple pine boxes built by members of what some might characterize as “the dregs of society.”
All three of these spiritual heroes were humble men. They say if you go around telling people you’re humble, you probably aren’t. Well, neither George Beverly, nor Cliff, nor Billy were prone to do that. They regarded themselves as servants, and they had the hearts of servants.
I think all three of these humble men would be real fine with the simple wooden caskets which were designed for them, and I think they would be just as fine with the kind of folks who so lovingly constructed them. For, after all, like their Master before them, they were sent to save the lost.
By William McDonald, PhD. From (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary. Vol. 78. Copyright pending
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