Here's a story you should read. It may take you by surprise, but if you are a Christian you will know the outcome early on.
My Son
This is great. Take a moment to read it; it will make your day! The ending will surprise you.
Take my son.
A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the real works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son 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, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hand.
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 and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art."
The young man held out this 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. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the 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 and offered to pay him for the picture.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence . . .
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one.'" But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the Van Gogh's, the Rembrandts. Get on with the Real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?'"
Finally, a voice came from the very back 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, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!'"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!"
God gave His son over 2,000 years ago to die on the Cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The Son, the Son, who'll take the Son?"
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything!
[Editor's comment: Salvation is free for those who will believe in the Son of God. His Name is Jesus. Have your received Him as your personal Savior and Lord? Only He can give you eternal life.
Jesus said,
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6-7, NIV).
The beloved apostle John wrote:
"If we confess our sins, He (Jesus) is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, NIV).
"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life" (1 John 5:11-12, NIV).
Now is your time to make your confession and place your trust in Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord. I ask that you do that just now.
If you have, please write me and tell me of your decision: hugh@hughsnews.com.
Tell others, especially your mother and father, or other loved ones and friends. Find a church that preaches the Gospel. Tell the pastor you have been born again and desire to follow Jesus in water baptism. Begin reading your Bible and pray to God daily, and confer with other Christians who can help you grow in your new found faith in Jesus Christ.
FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO SO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE...THAT'S LOVE
Please send this to ten people and back to the one who sent it to you.
God Bless.
If I don't get this back, I will know you really didn't read it. I got this from someone and thought the last part was really a good thought..
Too bad that the person who sent it to me did not know 10 people who would admit to knowing the Lord .
Posted on
Thu, June 9, 2011
by Hugh Morgan