Whoever Takes the Son Many years ago, there was a very wealthy man who shared a passion for art collecting with his son. They had priceless works by Picasso and Van Gogh adorning the walls of their family estate. 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 son had died. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season had vanished with the death of his son. 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 hands who said, 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. The soldier mentioned that he was an artist and then gave the old man the package. The paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the mans son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the young mans face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man hung the portrait over the fireplace, pushing aside millions of dollars worth of art. His task completed, the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. The painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces of art for which museums around the world clamored. The following spring, the old man died. The art world waited with anticipation for the upcoming auction. According to the will of the old man, all the art works would be auctioned on Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the worlds most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled that day. The auction began with a painting that was not on anyones museum list. It was the painting of the mans son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was silent. Who will open the bidding for $100.00? No one spoke. Finally someone said, Who cares about that painting. Its just a picture of his son. Lets move on to the good stuff. The auctioneer responded, No, we have to sell this one first. Now who will take the son? Finally, a neighbor of the old man offered $10.00 dollars. Thats all I have. I know the boy, so Id like to have it. The auctioneer said, Going once, going twice...gone. The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed. Now we can bid on the real treasures! The auctioneer looked at the room filled with people and announced that the auction was over. Everyone was stunned. Someone spoke up and said, What do you mean, its over? We didnt come here for a painting of someones son. There are millions of dollars worth of art here! Whats going on? The auctioneer replied, Its very simple. According to the will of the Father, whoever takes the Son...gets it all. Put things in perspective, doesnt it? The message is the same this Christmas. Because of the Fathers love...whoever takes His Son gets it all... Will you take Him this CHRISTmas? -illus. in my message this morning copied from Sermon Central
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 10:03:23 +0000