The "I AM" Son

"I AM the Son of God" (John 10:36).

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young son, shared a passion for art collecting. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the walls of the family estate.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left to serve his country. After only a few weeks, his father received a telegram. The young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic. Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas holidays with sadness. The joy of the season would visit his house no longer.

On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed old man. A soldier greeted him with a large package under his arm. "I was a friend of your son," the soldier said. "In fact, I was the one he was rescuing when he died. I have something for you." The old man invited him in and the soldier continued, "I'm an artist and I want you to have this."

As the man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait of his son. Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the painting featured the son's face in striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier and hung the picture above the fireplace in place of priceless paintings.

During the weeks that followed, as he sat in his chair gazing at his special gift, the man came to realize that his son would live on in his memory through this painting. Soon it became his prized possession, eclipsing his interest in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.

The following spring the old man became very ill and passed away. According to his will, all his paintings were to be sold at auction. Art collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings.

The auction began with the painting of the man's son. The auctioneer's call, "Who will open the bidding with $100?" was met with deafening silence. No one spoke. From the back of the room one art critic voiced, "Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son. Get on with it." More voices echoed in agreement. But the auctioneer replied, "No, we have to sell this one first. Who will bid?"

Finally, a friend of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars? That's all I have. I loved the father and his son, and I'd like to have it."

The auctioneer bellowed, "I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" After more silence, he said, "Going once. Going twice. Gone." The gavel fell. Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on to the real treasures."

But the auctioneer announced that the auction was over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone asked, "What about all those masterpieces? They're worth millions." He replied, "According to the man's will, whoever takes the son ... gets it ALL"!

That's the message of the Bible. Whoever takes the Son ... gets it all. Jesus is the "I AM" God. Whoever takes Him as their personal Saviour gets the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Door to glory, ... he gets it all in Him who is the "I AM."

--From "The I AM God" by Woodrow Kroll, published by Back to the Bible.