Seems as though there was this young man who gave his life for his country. Quite a lot of that going on, I hear. His best friend, not the greatest of artists, still wanted to create a memorial of sorts for his buddy, and drew a picture of him. Put it in the best order possible, and with it still looking less than professional, he arrived at the door of his friend's father.

The father received the news and the portrait with all the grace possible in such a situation, and grieved long and hard for his heroic son. Time passed, and the father himself had to go the route of his son. Before his death, though, he devised a plan whereby his estate would be auctioned off. Being that he was a man of means, the event he planned would be a significant one.

The day arrived and many came to cast their bids for the desirable objects available. One can imagine the consternation of the crowd when the auctioneer held up the possession most prized by Dad, that not-so-well-done portrait of his beloved son.

"What's this about?" they grumbled. "We came here from great distances to purchase quality goods. And you offer this junk art first?" But the grumblers could not carry the day. It was the father's will, and it would be so.

The bids did not come, no matter how low the price. Finally the gardener, a choice servant if ever there was one, but not the richest of men now, and worried about his own financial future, in respect for a man he admired, and that man's courageous son, stood and offered $10.00. Sold. Finished. Let's move on.

Ah, but more fine print in the will. The father's final tribute to the son of his love: My last will is that whoever takes the son, takes all. The gardener was now the owner of the entire estate.

I suppose only a preacher would start trying to apply the point now. My audience gets it, don't they? John said, He that has the Son, has eternal life. He that acknowledges the Son, has the Father also. Is there anything else important but eternal life with the Father?