The Painting

Here is another one of those great stories that came to me signed by that renowned German writer "Author Unknown." I have rewritten it to incorporate my own style but have endeavored to stay true to the original author's intent. This story touched my heart like few others have, before I reached the end I found my eyes tearing up and goosebumps on my arms. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did and will pass it on for others to enjoy and maybe even plant a seed.

"The Painting"

Some years ago there was a very wealthy man who loved art. He purchased many of the "Master's" for his collection and kept them in a special wing of his mansion for display. He had only one son. He poured all his knowledge and love into teaching him everything he knew so the son would grow up to be an asset to the world and make a difference in other's lives. They often spent many hours together admiring the Rembrandt's and the Picasso's as their love for art and each other grew.

When the Vietnam War began the son felt the calling to serve his country. The father could have used his money and influence to keep the son home but knew in order for the son to grow into the man he needed to become he must learn life's lessons. So he left the outcome of the son's life in God's hands.

The son went on to become a man and died in combat while rescuing one of his fellow soldiers. The father was notified of his son's death and heroism in battle. He grieved very deeply but was also very proud of his son.

Just before Christmas while the father sat grieving looking at his paintings there was a knock on the front door. As he opened the door he saw a young man about the same age as his son would have been standing on the porch holding a large flat package in his hands.

He had on an army uniform and introduced himself, "Sir, you don't know me," he said. "I was in your son's platoon."

The father invited him inside so he could talk to him about how his son had died. After some pleasantries the soldier told the father how his son had saved many lives that day. As it happened when his son had been shot he had been carrying him to safety. The bullet had penetrated his heart and he had died instantly.

"John often talked about you," he said. "Many a night he would tell me about you and how much you loved art." Then the young soldier held out the package and said, "I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist though I've painted all my life. It can't compare to all the great master's you have hanging here, but I think John would have wanted you to have this."

The father opened the package and saw the portrait of his son that the young soldier had painted. He was awestruck at the portrait and the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. He couldn't take his eyes off the way the soldier had captured his son's eyes and soon his own eyes filled with tears.

He offered to pay the young man anything he wanted for the portrait but the soldier refused any payment saying, "Oh no sir, this is my gift to you. I could never repay what your son did for me. I just wanted you to know how great a person he was and give you this painting.

The father accepted the portrait with much gratitude and hung the picture over his mantle in the center of the room. Whenever he had visitors he would show them the portrait first before showing the other artwork that he had collected.

After some time the father passed away and his estate was to be put up for auction. Collectors from all over the world came to bid on the masterpieces eager and excited over the opportunity to own some of his collection. As they all gathered in front of the auctioneer's stand they saw sitting next to the stand the portrait of the son. When the auctioneer finally came in and pounded his gavel to begin the auction everything got quiet.

"We will begin the auction today with the portrait of the son." He said.

The room was silent!

"Who will bid for this picture of the son? Is there a bid?"

A voice from the back of the room, "We're here to see the famous paintings."

But the auctioneer persisted, "Would someone like to place a bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $200.00, $100.00. We need a bid to start!"

Then another voice even louder said. "We came to bid on the Van Gogh's, the Raphael's, the famous paintings."

But the auctioneer continued, "The son! The son! Who'll take the son?"

The crowd grew restless and some even got angry when finally from the back of the room a voice spoke up. It was the caretaker who had worked for the family for years. "I'll bid a $100.00 dollars for the picture of the son." Not being a rich man it was all he had.

"We have $100, who will bid $200?"

"Give it to him for $100; let's see the masterpieces," a voice was heard to say.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel, "Going once, going twice, sold for $100."

A man sitting on the first row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer then laid down his gavel as he announced the auction was over!

"What about the paintings?" Was echoed all over the room.

"I am sorry," stated the auctioneer, "but when I was hired to hold this auction I was told there was a stipulation in the will and had to agree not to reveal the stipulation until the picture of the son was sold."

There was much murmuring among the crowd.

"I can now inform all of you that whoever bought the painting of the son would inherit the entire estate, including all the paintings."

"Are you telling us the man who bought the painting of the son gets everything?"

God gave His Son 2,000 years ago to die as payment for our sins. 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!

FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHOSO EVER BELIEVETH, SHALL HAVE ETERNAL LIFE ... THAT'S LOVE. THIS ALSO INCLUDES ALL THE RICHES OF HEAVEN.

Author Unknown

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