Who Will Take The Son?

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. Their collection included works of Picasso and Raphael. The two would often sit together and admire the great works of art. The son was called to defend the honor of his country and 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 there was a knock on the father’s 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’m the soldier whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day. He was carrying me when a bullet struck him in the heart, killing him instantly. Your son often talked about you and your mutual love for art.” The young man held out his 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 to find a portrait of his son. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. With tears in his eyes, he thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the painting. “Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me”, insisted the young man, “it’s a gift.” The father cherished the gift the rest of his life. The portrait of his son was the first painting he showed to visitors before any other of his collection. After the man’s death there was to be a great auction of his art collection. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having the opportunity to purchase one for their collection. The first painting offered was that of his son. The auctioneer ask for a bid. There was silence. Someone shouted from the back of the room, “We want to see the famous paintings! Skip this one!!” But the auctioneer persisted, “Who will start the bidding? $100; $200?” Another angry voice came forth, “We didn’t come to see this simple painting! We came to see the Van Gogh’s and the Rembrandt’s! Get on with the real auction!” The auctioneer continued, “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Finally a voice came from the back corner 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, that was all he could afford. “We have $10”, cried the auctioneer, “who’ll give $20?” “Give it to him for $10, let us see the masters”, came a plea from the crowd. “Won’t someone bid $20?” The crowd became angry. They wanted more worthy investments, not the son. “Going once, going twice, SOLD!, for $10.” A man in the front row said, “Now let’s get on with the auction!” “Sorry”, said the auctioneer as he laid his gavel down, “the auction is over.” “What about the paintings?” insisted the collectors. The auctioneer explained, “When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. Only the painting of the son was to be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The one who takes the son, gets everything.”
[John 3:16-21] To inherit a home in heaven, one must become a child of God. The proceedings for adoption into God’s family are: Hear The Gospel; Believe The Gospel; Repent Of Your Sinful Ways; Confess Jesus As The Son Of The Living God; Be Baptized For The Forgiveness Of Your Sins; And Continue To Live In Faith Until Death. Eternal life is found in Jesus. “The Son! The Son! Who will take the SON”?