I love good stories. And a good story can be heard again and again with renewed appreciation. I have heard the story that is printed below scores of times, but it still moves me, it still awakens something within me and fills me once again with wonder and awe.
He Who Gets the Son
There once was a wealthy man who had a great passion for fine art. He shared his passion for art collecting with his son. Together they traveled around the world, adding treasured pieces to their family collection. But one day, the world went to war, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father received a telegram, telling him that his beloved son had been killed in action while carrying a fellow soldier to safety.
The following Christmas morning, as the man sat in his house alone, a knock came at the door. When he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier who was carrying a package in his hand. After greeting the old man, the soldier went on to say, “I am the one your son was rescuing when he died. May I come in? I have something that I want to give to you.”
After entering the house, the young soldier said, “Your son talked often of you and your love of art. I am not much of an artist, but I want to give you this.”
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of his son. Though the art critics would never consider the work a piece of genius, the painting captured the specific details of the son’s appearance, as well as something of his personality. The man received the gift with much joy and appreciation, and it was added to his treasured collection.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was filled with great anticipation when it was announced that the family’s famed collection was to be auctioned.
The auction was held on Christmas day, commemorating the day on which he had received he portrait of his son. The auction began with a painting that was not on anyone’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent. “Who will open the bidding with $100?”, he asked.
Several minutes passed with not a sound from those who came to buy. Then, from the back of the room someone callously called out, ‘No one cares about this picture, let’s forget it and go on to the important paintings.” But the auctioneer replied, ‘No, a proviso in the will stated that we have to sell this painting first. Now, who will take the son?
Finally, an acquaintance of the old man, who also had known the son, spoke up and said. “I knew the boy; I will take it. I will bid $100.”
With that, the auctioneer said, “I have a bid for $100, will anyone go higher?” After a long silence, the auctioneer called out, “Going once. Going twice. Sold for $100.” And with that, the gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room, and someone was heard to say, “Now we can get on with it!”
But the auctioneer, after carefully looking over the audience, announced that the auction was over. Silence filled the room as the stunned audience stared back at the auctioneer. Someone finally spoke up, “What do you mean it’s over? What about the other paintings?”
Respectfully, the auctioneer replied, “There was one more proviso in the will. Whoever takes the son, gets the entire collection.” -Anonymous-
My friends, when we receive the gift of God only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, we soon discover, he who gets the Son, gets it all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).