How Important is Jesus?

How Important is Jesus?

As time roles closer to God’s predetermined end, it seems that the person of Jesus has been relegated by many to just being a nice guy.  The world does not understand Jesus nor why He should be important to them.

I recently read a story that I’d like to share.  It is the story of a very wealthy man who, with his devoted son, shared a passion for art collecting. They traveled around the world together, adding only the finest paintings to their collection. Included among them were works by Picasso, Van Gogh, and Monet. The old man was a widower, but his son filled up the void in his life, and this was their common bond.

But war erupted, and the young man enlisted and was sent overseas. Day after day, the old father prayed, held his breath, and waited for news. One autumn day near Thanksgiving the dreaded telegram came, bordered in black. The young man had died bravely in combat, trying to evacuate those caught under fire. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming holidays with anguish and sorrow. On Christmas morning, a knock sounded at the door. The father opened it to find a soldier there, carrying a small package. As they talked, the soldier said, “Your son and I became very close and he told me all about your joint art collection. I myself am an artist, and I wanted to give you this.”

The man took this package in his feeble hands, unwrapped it, and there was a portrait of his son in striking detail. It wasn’t a masterpiece, but it was the most precious work of art the man had ever seen. As he gazed at it, he wept. And as the young soldier left, the lonely father pushed aside thousands of dollars worth of art and hung the portrait of his son in the prized spot over the fireplace.

As the months passed, the old man received letter after letter. Telling him of his son’s bravery and selflessness, and of how many lives he had saved and how many more he had touched. With each passing day the portrait over the fireplace became more precious, and he told his friends that it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following Spring, the old man grew ill and passed away. The art world was full of anticipation, wanting to get its hands on this man’s fabulous collection. A day was set to auction it all off, and according to the old man’s instruction the first painting was one that was not on any museum’s list-the painting of the man’s son. When the auctioneer asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.

“Who will open the bidding at $100?” he asked. The moments stretched on awkwardly, and finally someone in the back of the room said, “Let’s go on to the next piece.”

“No,” replied the auctioneer. “We have to sell this one first.”

Finally a neighbor of the man spoke. “Will you take fifty dollars for the painting? That’s all I have, but I knew the boy and I liked him. So I’d like to have it,”

“Fifty dollars, we have fifty dollars,” shouted the auctioneer. “Will anyone go higher?” No one did. “Going once, going twice, gone.’ And the gavel fell.

Everyone breathed a deep sigh of relief, thankful that now they could proceed with the “real” auction and get their hands on the masterpieces. But imagine their shock when the auctioneer suddenly declared that the proceedings were over. A loud clamor arose. Stunned disbelief. ‘’What do you mean it’s over?’” the people shouted. “What about all the masterpieces?”

The auctioneer replied. “It’s very simple. According to the will, whoever takes the son gets it all.”

The Bible says, “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).

Jesus is just that important.  The world does not know this.  Thus, our mission is defined.

Pastor Stephen