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 & many
others adorned the walls of the family estate.

The widowed elder man looked on 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, & 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.

Distraught & lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Easter 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 Easter 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. As he opened the door,
he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hand. He
introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son.
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. 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. Then the man sat in his
chair and spent Easter gazing at the gift he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even
though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on
because of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son
had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled
his caring heart.

As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him,
fatherly pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The
painting of his son soon became his most prized possession, far
eclipsing any interest in the pieces for which museums around the
world clamored. He told his neighbors it was the greatest gift he
had ever received. The following spring, the old man became ill and
passed away. The art world was in anticipation.

With the collector's passing, and his only son dead, those paintings
would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the old man,
all of the art works would be auctioned on Easter 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 good stuff."

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 ten dollars for the painting? That's all I have.
I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." "I have ten dollars.
Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer. 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 treasures!" The auctioneer
looked at the audience and announced the auction was over.

Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked,
"What do you mean it's over? We didn't come here for a picture
of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings?
There are millions of dollars of art here! I demand that you
explain what's going on here!" The auctioneer replied,

"It's very simple. According to the will of the father,
whoever takes the Son . . . gets it all!"

Just as those art collectors discovered on that Easter day,
the message is still the same - the love of a Father - a Father
whose greatest joy came from His Son who went away and gave his
life rescuing others.

And because of that Father's love...
whoever takes the Son gets it all

=================

BUY the SON and Get it ALL !!!

For God loved you so much that He gave His only begotten Son,
Jesus the Christ, the Messiah, to die on the cruel cross for you,
so you can live forever in Heaven with Him, if you choose Him.