The Painting
Years ago, there was a very wealthy man, who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elderly man looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced art collector, just like his father.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few weeks, his father received a telegram. 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 seasons would visit his house no longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man.
As he opened the door, a soldier greeted him with a large package under his arm. “I was a friend of your son,” the soldier said. “In fact, I was the one he was rescuing when he died. I have something for you.” The old man invited him in and the soldier continued, “I am an artist and I want you to have this.”
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of his 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 and promised to hang the picture above the fireplace.
True to his word, the painting was placed above the fireplace, pushing aside priceless others. The man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at his special gift.
During the weeks that followed, the man came to realize that his son would live on in his memory through this painting. Soon it became his prized possession, eclipsing his interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.
The following spring, the old man became very ill and passed away. According to his will, all the paintings were to be sold at auction, including the one of his son.
The day arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. The auction began with the painting of his son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but his call was met with deafening silence. “Who will open the bidding with $100?” he asked. Time stood still. No one spoke. From the back of the room one art critic voiced, “Who cares about that painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Get on with it.” More voices echoed in agreement. But the auctioneer replied, “No, we have to sell this one first. Who will bid?”
Finally, a friend of the old man spoke, “Will you take ten dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I loved the father and his son, and I’d like to have it.”
The auctioneer bellowed, “I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?” After more silence, he said, “Going once, going twice, gone. The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, “Now we can get on to the real treasures.”
But the auctioneer announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all those masterpieces? They’re worth millions.”
The auctioneer replied, “According to the man’s will, whoever takes the son. . . gets it all.”
That is the message of the Bible. Whoever takes the Son . .. gets it all. Jesus is the “I AM” God.
Thomas A. Kempis, in his classic book, “The Imitation of Christ,” said of the ability of Jesus, Quoting: “The Savior said, ‘Follow thou Me, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.’ Without the way, there is no going; without the truth, there is no knowing; without the life, there is no living. I am the Way which thou must follow; the Truth which thou must believe; the Life for which thou must hope.” End of quote.
Jesus is the greatest treasure of your life. Determine to know God intimately, because whoever gets the Son, gets it all!
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