By Mark Ellis
The body of the legendary evangelist, Billy Graham, was laid to rest in a coffin made by a convicted murderer nicknamed “Grasshopper” at Angola State Penitentiary, offering a final statement about humility from a man who influenced the most powerful leaders in the world.
“Many people have asked me about my father’s casket,” Franklin stated in his Twitter feed, accompanying a video showing the casket being made. “My son Roy shares the story and we have footage of the casket being handmade by a convicted murderer named ‘Grasshopper’ at Angola Prison in Louisiana.”
Billy and Ruth Graham’s pine plywood caskets were crafted by inmates at the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana.
Franklin and Roy visited the prison to attend a rodeo and saw the caskets being made. “He (Franklin) came back and told my grandmother (Ruth) he had bought her a gift. He bought her a casket made by prisoners and my grandmother thought it was outstanding,” Roy recounted in the video.
“The prisoners are people who need forgiveness too and that’s what my grandmother loved about it, that we all need forgiveness,” Roy explained.
The inmate who built the evangelist’s casket saw it as a labor of love. “I’ve been at Angola 35 years,” the man nicknamed Grasshopper said. “I build every casket just like I would want mine built.”
Another prisoner in the carpenter shop helping with the project saw a powerful symbol in the evangelist’s final resting place. “The Rev. Graham has always preached on humility in order to grow in Christ’s likeness,” he noted. “We must humble ourselves…I think this is his final statement to that effect, that he will be buried in a coffin made by the poor, by prisoners.”
“The cross has the ultimate significance. That’s where the ultimate sacrifice was made for mankind,” he added.
Visitors pay their respects as the casket of Reverend Billy Graham lies in honor at the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018. It’s a rare honor for a private citizen to lie in honor at the Capitol. Graham died Wednesday in his sleep at his North Carolina home. He was 99. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
That inmate’s reflection echoes Billy Graham’s summation of the gospel made at every crusade, with every invitation Graham faithfully offered to receive Christ: “The cross and the resurrection of Christ offers forgiveness for sins,” Graham said, “offers you a whole new life and offers you eternal life if you come to the cross by repentance and faith.”
No more excuses now. God offers us the gift of eternal life out of His great love for us, not because of our good works. If we attempt to pay for it by working our way to heaven, we will always fall short. (Romans 3:23) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Have you accepted the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made for you? You can, simply by asking Him to be your personal Savior. He gives His assurance of eternal life to anyone who comes to Him.
The bible says; Come unto me, all [ye] that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Mat 11:28 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9 Only believe and you will be saved. Say a simple prayer something like this:
Jesus, please forgive me. I know I have made many mistakes in my life and I‘m very sorry. I know that you died for me and that you have a plan for my life. Please teach me your ways and help me to live my life for you, free from the fears and worries of this world and the next. I want to be ready for eternity with you. Amen
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 28: (AFP-OUT) A joint U.S. Military honor guard carries a casket containing the remains of evangelist Rev. Billy Graham at the U.S. Capitol, on February 28, 2018 in Washington, DC. Rev. Graham is being honored by Congress by lying in repose inside of the U.S. Capitol Rotunda for 24 hours. (Photo by Saul Loeb-Pool/Getty Images)
Congratulations, if you have prayed this prayer, the Bible says, “ Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2Cr 5:17)
If you’ve prayed this prayer for the first time or are renewing your commitment to the Lord, please let us know so that we can pray for you as you start your new life with Jesus.
