LIFE IN THE SON - Part I

LIFE IN THE SON - Part I

It is mission critical that we recognize and receive JESUS CHRIST, THE SOURCE OF ALL LIFE and THE AUTHOR AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH. (John 1:4 – Hebrews 12:2) One of my favorite stories tells us exactly why, in a very eloquent and memorable manner:

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.  They owned many beautiful and precious paintings, from Rafael to Picasso.  Often during the evening hours, they would sit together to admire and discuss their magnificent art treasures.

When the Vietnam War broke out, the son was drafted into the U.S. Army.  He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.  When the father was notified, he grieved deeply and inconsolably for his only son.

About a month later, just before Christmas, there came a knock at his door.  A young man stood in the doorway holding 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.  He died instantly.  I am so very sorry for your loss.  So often, he talked about you, and your love for fine art.”

The young man held out a package, wrapped in plain brown paper.  “I know this isn’t much.  I’m not really a great artist, but I think your son would want you to have this.”

The father opened the package.  It was a beautiful portrait of his son, which had been painted by the young soldier standing in the doorway.  He stared in awe at the way this soldier had captured the spirit and 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 repeatedly and offered to pay him for the portrait.

“No sir, I could never repay what you son did for me.  He saved my life.  This is a gift.”

The father immediately hung his son’s portrait over the mantle.  Every time visitors came to his home, he took them to see the portrait of his son before showing any of the other great works of art he had collected.

Unfortunately, the father died a few months later.  There was a great auction of his paintings.  Many influential people gathered, excited about the opportunity to purchase some of those exceptional paintings for their own collections.  On the platform, center stage, stood the portrait of the deceased man’s heroic son.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel.  “This evening, we start our bidding with the picture of the son.  Who will bid for this portrait?”  Absolute silence prevailed.  After a few moments, a voice from the back of the room shouted, “We came to see the famous paintings.  Just skip over this one.”

But the auctioneer persisted, “Will someone bid for this painting?  Who will start the bidding?  $100?  $200?”  Another voice, more angry this time, boomed out: “No one wants to buy this painting.  We came to see the Van Gogh’s, the Rembrandt’s and the Picasso’s.  Get on with the real bidding!”

But still the auctioneer continued.  “The son!  The son!  Who will take the son?”

Finally, a meek voice spoke from the rear of the room.  It was the longtime gardener of the deceased father and son.  “I’ll pay ten dollars for this painting.”  And being a poor man, it was all he could afford.

“We have ten dollars.  Who will bid twenty?”  Someone else had grown tired and inpatient.  “Give it to him for ten dollars, and let’s get on with it!”  The crowd had become agitated.  They didn’t want the picture of the son.  They were seeking the more worthy investments for their collections.  So the auctioneer pounded his gavel and announced “Going once, going twice, sold for ten dollars!”

One man seated down front remarked, “Now we can get on with the REAL collection!”

But the auctioneer laid down his gavel.  “I am sorry,” he announced, “but the auction is over.”  Someone shouted out in shocked disbelief, “What about the other paintings?”  The auctioneer explained, “When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will that could not be revealed until now.  You see, only the painting of THE SON would actually be auctioned.  It had been arranged by THE FATHER that whoever bought the painting of THE SON would inherit his entire estate, including all of the priceless paintings.  The man who takes THE SON…gets everything!”

What an awesome story!

OUR FATHER freely gave HIS OWN SON, approximately two millennia past, to die on a cruel and rugged cross.  Much like the auctioneer, HIS MESSAGE for all of us today is: “THE SON, THE SON…WHO WILL TAKE THE SON?”  Because whoever takes THE SON…gets EVERYTHING! (John 10:10 – II Peter 1:3) Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING.  Maranatha!