Author Unknown
Years
ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a
passion for art collecting. Together they traveled around the world,
adding only the finest art treasures to their collection. Priceless works by
Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.
The
widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction, as his only child became an
experienced art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind
caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around
the world.
As
winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his
country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram.
His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more
news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were
confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a
medic.
Distraught
and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and
sadness. The joy of the season, a season that he and his son had so looked
forward to, would visit his house no longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on
the door awakened the depressed old man.
As
he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only reminded him
that his son was not coming home. As he opened the door, he was greeted by a
soldier with a large package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man
by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing
when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I have
something to show you."
As
the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had told everyone
of his father's love of fine art. "I'm an artist," said the soldier,
"and I want to give you this." As the old man unwrapped the
package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man's son.
Though
the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured
the young man's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man
thanked the soldier, promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few
hours later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his task.
True
to his word, the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of
dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas
gazing at the gift he had been given. During the days and weeks that followed,
the man realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life
would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that
his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his
caring heart.
As
the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and
satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his son soon became his
most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which
museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest
gift he had ever received.
The
following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in
anticipation. With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those
paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the
old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the day he
had received his greatest gift.
The
day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on
some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled
this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim "I have the
greatest collection." The auction began with a painting that was not
on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer
asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. "Who will open
the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No one spoke.
From
the back of the room came, "Who cares about that painting? It's
just a picture of his son. Let's forget it and go on to the good
stuff." More voices echoed in agreement.
"No,
we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer.
"Now,
who will take the son?" Finally, a friend of the old man spoke.
"Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have.
I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I
have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer.
After more silence, the
auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice. Gone." The gavel
fell.
Cheers
filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with it and we
can bid on these treasures!" The auctioneer looked at the audience
and announced the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room.
Someone spoke up and asked, "What do you mean it's over? We
didn't come here for a picture of some old guy's son. What about all of
these paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! I
demand that you explain what's going on here!"
The
auctioneer replied, "It's very simple. According to the will of
the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all."
Puts
things into perspective, doesn't it? Just as those art collectors
discovered on that Christmas day, the message is still the same - the love of a
Father - a Father whose greatest joy came from his son who went away and
gave his life rescuing others. And because of that Father's love...whoever
takes the Son gets it all.
Romans
8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how
shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
John
3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that
whosoever believeth in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."