Friday, December 12, 2025
THE GREAT CHRISTMAS AUCTION!
Rom 8:32
32 He that
spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with
him also freely give us all things?
Years ago, there was a very
wealthy man who,
with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they
traveled around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and many others
adorned the walls of the family estate.
The widowed elder man watched with satisfaction, as his
only child became an experienced art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp
business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art
collectors around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the
young man left to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art collector
anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his son again. Within
days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had died while rushing a fellow
soldier to a medic.
Sad and lonely, the old man faced the
upcoming Christmas holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a
season that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no
longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the
depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the
walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home. He opened the door,
and a soldier greeted him with a large package in his hand.
“I was a friend of your son,”
the soldier said. “I
was the one he was rescuing when he died. May I come in for a few moments? I
have something to show you.” As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how
the man’s son had told everyone of his father’s love of fine art.
“I’m an artist,” said the soldier, “and I want to give
you this.”
As the old man unwrapped the
package, the
paper gave way to reveal a portrait of the man’s son, which the soldier had
painted. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the
painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail.
Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier,
promising to hang the picture above the fireplace. A few hours later, after the
soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word, the
painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of dollars of
paintings. And then the man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the
gift he had been given.
The following spring, the old man became ill and passed
away. The art world was in high anticipation! According to the will of the old
man, all the art would be auctioned on Christmas
day, the day he had received his greatest gift.
The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the
world gathered to bid on some of the world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams
would be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim “I
have the greatest collection.” The auction began with a painting that was not
on any museum’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. Minutes
passed. No one spoke. From the back of the room came, “Who cares about that
painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to the
truly valuable items.”
More voices echoed in
agreement.
“No, we have to sell this one
first,”
replied the auctioneer. “Now, who will take the son?”
Finally, a friend of the old
man spoke. “Will
you take fifty dollars for the painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so
I’d like to have it.
“I have a bid of fifty
dollars,”
called the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?”
After more silence, the auctioneer said, “Going once,
going twice. Gone.”
The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room, and someone
exclaimed, “Now we can get on with it, and we can bid on these great
treasures!” The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the
auction was over.
Stunned disbelief quieted the
room.
Someone spoke up and asked, “What do you mean it’s over? What about all these
paintings? There are millions of dollars of art here! We demand that you
explain what’s going on!”
“It’s very simple,” the auctioneer replied. “According to
the will of the father, whoever takes the son . . . gets it all.”
The Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but
delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give
us all things?” (Rom_8:32). Receive Jesus into your life, and you get
everything that God has to give!
Take the Son and get it all!
Thank you, Lord, that years ago I was
wise enough to take the true treasure. Since then, I have all that you have to
give. AMEN
