But They Know Who Jesus Christ Is
With the Gospel so readily on my mind these days, I am reminded of a story I heard from the life and ministry of evangelist Leighton Ford, Billy Graham’s brother-in-law. The story includes an encounter with an elderly woman on an airplane.
Leighton was already positioned comfortably in his seat when a flight attendant approached him about assisting a 96-year old woman who would be sitting next to him. Desiring to be hospitable and helpful, Ford opened up the conversation by asking if it was true she was 96 years old.
The woman replied, “Yep.”
Ford asked if she traveled much, and the woman replied again with, “Yep.”
Then Ford said, “I bet since you’ve lived all these years you know quite a bit.”
Again the woman said, “Yep.”
To instigate more than a “yep” and to turn the conversation toward Jesus, Ford then asked, “Tell me the best thing that you know.”
She said, “The best thing that I knows is that I knows Jesus Christ.”
The evangelist wanted to see how well the woman knew Jesus, so he said, “And what’s the big deal about knowing Jesus.”That is when the 96-year old starting preaching. She lit up as she explained how Jesus made the sun, the moon and the stars. She talked about Jesus making everything. Then she concluded her sermon by saying, “If it weren’t for Jesus I wouldn’t be here right now riding on this plane.”
Inspired by her faith, Leighton told the woman who he was and why he was asking her all the many questions. He told her he was interested in her faith. Then he educated the woman he was an evangelist as well as the brother-in-law to Billy Graham.
“Do you know who Billy Graham is?” inquired Ford.
“Nope,” said the woman.
“You don’t know Billy Graham, the world-wide evangelist. He is the man who has preached to millions in crusades and on television,” replied Ford. “Surely you have seen him on TV,” said the evangelist.
The woman retorted, “Maybe I’s out the night he’s on!”
A few days later Ford was able to share the story with Dr. Graham. Graham’s response is most notable. Graham said, “Leighton Ford isn’t it wonderful to know there are millions and millions who do not know who we are but they know who Jesus Christ is!”
What a story! And that is the way it should be. Billions will never know about CrossPoint. Billions more will never know who I am or who you are, but as long as we continue to propagate the Gospel they will know who Jesus is. Please continue to work and pray with me as we reach JUST ONE MORE to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
Leighton was already positioned comfortably in his seat when a flight attendant approached him about assisting a 96-year old woman who would be sitting next to him. Desiring to be hospitable and helpful, Ford opened up the conversation by asking if it was true she was 96 years old.
The woman replied, “Yep.”
Ford asked if she traveled much, and the woman replied again with, “Yep.”
Then Ford said, “I bet since you’ve lived all these years you know quite a bit.”
Again the woman said, “Yep.”
To instigate more than a “yep” and to turn the conversation toward Jesus, Ford then asked, “Tell me the best thing that you know.”
She said, “The best thing that I knows is that I knows Jesus Christ.”
The evangelist wanted to see how well the woman knew Jesus, so he said, “And what’s the big deal about knowing Jesus.”That is when the 96-year old starting preaching. She lit up as she explained how Jesus made the sun, the moon and the stars. She talked about Jesus making everything. Then she concluded her sermon by saying, “If it weren’t for Jesus I wouldn’t be here right now riding on this plane.”
Inspired by her faith, Leighton told the woman who he was and why he was asking her all the many questions. He told her he was interested in her faith. Then he educated the woman he was an evangelist as well as the brother-in-law to Billy Graham.
“Do you know who Billy Graham is?” inquired Ford.
“Nope,” said the woman.
“You don’t know Billy Graham, the world-wide evangelist. He is the man who has preached to millions in crusades and on television,” replied Ford. “Surely you have seen him on TV,” said the evangelist.
The woman retorted, “Maybe I’s out the night he’s on!”
A few days later Ford was able to share the story with Dr. Graham. Graham’s response is most notable. Graham said, “Leighton Ford isn’t it wonderful to know there are millions and millions who do not know who we are but they know who Jesus Christ is!”
What a story! And that is the way it should be. Billions will never know about CrossPoint. Billions more will never know who I am or who you are, but as long as we continue to propagate the Gospel they will know who Jesus is. Please continue to work and pray with me as we reach JUST ONE MORE to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.
2 comments:
Wow Preachy! You just burst the bubble of the "It's all about me generation". It's not all about me or us or never will be. If it is we will never lead anyone to Jesus because they won't be able to see Him for seeing us. Great story. Gay
AMEN! AND AMEN!!
Remember CrossPointers..INAM! And it's not about our buildings, or our activities or even the Pastor. It's about the gospel of Jesus Christ and our commitment to see it shared with our every breath!! At all times!! For His Glory!
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