The Rev. Franklin Graham, president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, told Newsmax Saturday that Easter is a time to remember that Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for mankind's sins.
Appearing on "America Right Now," Graham responded to a question about Holy Saturday — the day between Good Friday and Easter Sunday — and how Christians should approach it.
"Well, you know, first of all, I think we should spend every day praying. The Bible says pray without ceasing," Graham said.
Reflecting on Good Friday and Christ's crucifixion, he explained its significance in Christian theology.
"Jesus, when he hung on the cross on Friday ... with the blood pouring down the cross coming from his head and his back, the nails in his hands and his feet, the spear in his side — all of that, God poured on his son at that moment all the sins of mankind, sins past, present, future," Graham said.
"Jesus Christ became the sacrifice to God for the sins of mankind. And God had to turn his back because he cannot behold sin. He can't look on sin. And Jesus said, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?' And at that moment, God had to turn his back."
Graham said Jesus bore humanity's sins, died, and was buried — but then triumphed on Easter morning.
"He came out on Sunday. He walked right out of that tomb of sin. He's alive and he's alive today," he said.
"If we confess our sins and repent and turn from them, God will forgive us. You don't have to work for it. You don't have to say so many prayers. You don't have to do something difficult. You don't have to give money to the church or whatever. It's just simply by faith."
Graham said Easter is about "a new beginning" and "a new chance."
He also previewed a special Easter program airing Sunday, April 20, on Newsmax titled "Easter From the Ashes," which was filmed in Los Angeles, an area ravaged by wildfires.
"Sixteen thousand structures were burned there in Palisades in the Eden fires. Incredible," Graham said. "We've got a special Easter message, and it's on something that a lot of people don't talk about — and that's hell."
He said the scenes from the fire reminded people of something eternal.
"Jesus came to save us from hell. And the people out there running from the flames, so many of them talked about — it reminded us of hell," Graham said. "It's like going through the flames of hell. We felt like we were in hell over and over and over again."
Graham called the special a "different message," adding, "I don't think you'll have any other sermons Easter Sunday about the flames of hell."
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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