A wealthy man had a large collection of rare paintings. Sadly his only son was killed in the Vietnam War but soon afterwards a young soldier called at the man’s house holding a large package. “Sir, you don’t know me but your son died saving my life – I’m not a great artist but I’d like you to accept this as a gift.” The father opened the package and stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his dear son.

A few months later the father died and many influential people came to a great auction of his paintings. On the platform in a prominent position was the picture of his son. The auctioneer pounded with his hammer, “We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.” There was silence. “Who will start the bidding? 100 dollars? 200?” A voice shouted angrily, “We don’t want the son, we want the great masters, Van Gogh – Rembrandt!” Still the auctioneer cried, “The son! The son! Who’ll take the son?” Finally a voice came from the long-time gardener of the wealthy man. “I’m only poor but I’ll bid 10 dollars.” “We have 10 dollars, who will give 20?” The crowd grew more angry, “We don’t want this son we want the masters!”

The auctioneer said, “Going once, twice – sold for 10 dollars.” The hammer fell then the auctioneer said; “The auction is now over. Due to a stipulation in the will, only the painting of the son was to be auctioned. Whoever bought it would inherit the entire estate!”

Jesus God’s only Son died to save us from eternal death and to give us eternal life. Whoever takes the Son takes the greatest of all Masters and inherits the Kingdom of Heaven! “Who’ll take the Son?” [ Mark 8:36-37 ].