From a newly unveiled mural by artist Thomas Kinkade called The Cross, to the underlying message of the exhibit, to comments from Billy Graham tonight, the Gospel message rang loud and clear.
Kinkade, in describing the 15-by-31 foot mural he created for the Library, said, “My passion is for people to see the cross, not a work of art. As I began working on it, one thing and one thing only kept being preeminent. It was the cross.
“A work of art doesn’t need an interpreter,” Kinkade added. “This painting is especially clear. Anyone can see the enduring work of the cross. That’s what all of us need. The cross. That’s the only hope.”
The mural is not Kinkade’s only gift to Billy Graham’s ministry. Tonight, he presented both Billy and Franklin Graham with an original painting depicting the Billy Graham Library building.
In addition to the Kinkade mural, additions to the Library include thousands of books from Mr. Graham’s personal library, and other artifacts, such as his desk and chair, a Bible he used for preparing sermons and one of his briefcases.
New video presentations feature a welcome from Franklin Graham, a glimpse at the current ministry activities of BGEA – representing Billy Graham’s ongoing legacy – and testimonies of those whose lives God has touched through the evangelist’s ministry.
“This Library is a ministry, and that’s what we wanted. That’s what we intended,” said Franklin Graham in remarks this afternoon. “And these changes that we have made have strengthened the ministry. There is a clear presentation of the Gospel as you go through from room to room.”
Speaking to the media, Franklin shared that his father, Billy, spent time touring the Library privately yesterday. “He then went to mother’s grave and sat quietly for a long time. I didn’t ask him what he was thinking … I figured that’s between him and mama and God.”
Ruth Bell Graham’s final resting place is in a garden on the grounds of the Library.
Mr. Graham, speaking at a dinner that followed the dedication, said, “This Library, which has been largely the vision and the work of Franklin, has gone far beyond our expectations. … The reason we decided to renovate it was to make it a different type of Library that would totally and completely honor the Lord Jesus Christ, where people could find Christ in almost every place. And I’m grateful to those that have worked and prayed, and I believe that God is going to use it in the future.”
During his prayer of dedication, Mr. Graham said, “We pray thy blessing upon this Library in a new way as its reopened today. Bless Franklin, as he leads our whole organization and Samaritan’s Purse, and Lord I pray that you bless the people that work here. We commit this Library and museum to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
