At the Foot of the Cross

“The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.” 1 Corinthians 1:18 (CEB)

Just this past week, Brooks and I made a trip up to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. Having been once previously, myself, I couldn’t wait for Brooks to get this experience. As you enter the grounds the first stop is a tour of Billy’s childhood home full of lots of memories of days gone by along with some items that belonged to his mother, Morrow Graham. It does elicit a nostalgic mood, softening one’s mind especially for those of us of a certain age.

As we made our way up the walkway to the library, I remembered the entrance was special in its design…we entered through the foot of the cross. As we toured it was obvious that Rev. Graham had a single purpose and that was to tell people everywhere that they were loved by God so much that His own Son was our redeemer. His desire was to see people of all nationalities and ethnicities saved by faith in Christ. It didn’t matter to Rev. Graham what race or creed someone was. He said, “Christianity is not a white man’s religion and don’t let anybody ever tell you that it’s white or black. Christ belongs to all people; He belongs to the whole world.” The ground is level at the foot of the cross, a quote reportedly from Gen. Robert E. Lee, is another way to say it.

Walking into that building through the foot of the cross, we were no different than anyone else. None of the tourists were better than another one. We saw black, white and Asian visitors. We heard several different languages as we passed through. God saw men and women made in His image!

The gift of salvation is given to ALL people, as is seen in Act 2:21, “and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (CEB)

When you find yourself at the end of the tour, you are exiting through the cross with the open and empty tomb pictured just ahead. Words are not sufficient to describe the scene. It brings home the weight of the sacrifice that was made for ME and YOU!

A physical step to the foot of the cross isn’t required; it can be as easy as kneeling before Jesus and asking Him into your heart….or renewing your relationship with Him.

White or black, English or Hispanic, man or woman – we are the same when we come to Jesus!