A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael . They would often sit together and admire the great works of art..
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas,
There was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said, 'Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly... He often talked about you, and your love for art.' The young man held out this package. 'I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this.'
The father
Opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.. 'Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.. It's a gift.'
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. 'We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?'
There was silence..
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, 'We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one..'
But the auctioneer persisted. 'Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?'
Another voice angrily. 'We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh 's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the
Real bids!'
But still the auctioneer continued. 'The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the longtime gardener of the man and his son. 'I'll give $10 for the painting...' Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
'We have $10, who will bid $20?'
'Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.'
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. 'Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!'
A man sitting on the second row shouted, 'Now let's get on with the collection!'
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. 'I'm sorry, the auction is over.'
'What about the paintings?'
'I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!'
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on the cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: 'The son, the son, who'll take the son?'
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE
The Son brings God’s Sun and smile. The Son brings pardon, forgiveness, reconciliation, atonement. New life comes from the Son. The Son brings peace with God and the peace of God. God has invested His all and is best in His son. Whoever has the Son, has the Father, and everything. Without the Son, you have nothing. You lose. The Son paid the Price for you to rise from the bin. The Son made the sacrifice that no other person can make. The Son paved the way- the New and living way. Without the Son you’re gone. You are lost, hopeless, useless, in darkness, deep , deep darkness, damned, condemned to hell, in prison, a slave to sin, Satan and in serious trouble.
Some are despising the Son. God has no Son, they say. Others say God cannot have a Son. Others say His Son is not special- just one of the prophets. But who do you say I am? Jesus asked the disciples.
Peter said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
The Father spoke in an audible voice: ‘This is My Son, listen to Him. On another occasion He said, ‘This is my Son in whom I am well pleased.’
Paul met Him on the road to Damascus where he was going to persecute the Christians. Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me. And Saul asked, ‘Who are you Lord,’ and He told him I am Jesus whom you persecute.
Paul was transformed from that day and began to serve God with all the fibre of his being.
May you have an encounter with God through His Son today!
Without the son there is no life, no living, no meaning to life, no light, no way.
But the Son is the Way , the truth and the life.
11And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.1John5:11-12
Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.1Jon2:23
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:John1:12
And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Matt.3:17
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” Matt 17:5
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”Mark1:11
Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Luke 3:22
Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”Matt.16:16
Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”John6:69
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Isa9:6
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father
