“Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life” 1 John 5:12

An art collector and his son owned paintings worth millions of dollars. The son went off to war and was killed in the act of carrying his wounded buddy to safety. The buddy was an artist and painted a portrait of the son which he brought to the father after he was discharged from the service. The portrait, although not great art, was placed over the fireplace, the most prominent location in the house.

The following spring the old man died and the art world waited with great anticipation for the auctioning of his fortune in paintings. The first painting on the block was the portrait of the son but there was no interest and the people derided it, urging the auctioneer to get on with the good stuff.

But the will stated that the portrait of the son must go first.

Finally, one of the family servants offered all he had – $10.00. “I loved the boy,” he said. “And I would like to have the portrait if you’re prepared to take what I have to offer for it.”

When the portrait was purchased, the auctioneer announced that the auction was now concluded. This announcement brought loud protests from the crowd and demands for an explanation. So, under pressure from the people, the auctioneer responded saying, “The will states that whoever purchases the portrait of the son, gets everything.”

What a fascinating story. But it’s not an isolated case. There’s a far greater inheritance available today, and, like the family servant who got everything, you could be the one who gets it all.

Let me tell you about it: It’s an inheritance that’s freely offered but can never be bought. Millions look for it but only a few find it. And although it’s in this world it also goes beyond this world. And yet it’s an inheritance that’s easily within reach. For the conditions for attaining this inheritance are similar to the conditions in the art collector’s will. All you have to do is love the Father’s Son. For the Father will only give the full inheritance to the person who’s prepared to love His Son with all they have. That’s the bottom line. If you want the inheritance, you must love the Son.

So what’s the inheritance, who is the Son, and how do you love Him? The inheritance is life in all of its fullness – both here on earth and in eternity to come. The Son is none other than Jesus Christ. And you love Him by confessing your sin, turning from your wicked ways and unconditionally giving yourself to Him.

When you accept the Son, you get it all. For there are no half measures with the Heavenly Father. Everyone who loves the Son receives “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade” 1 Peter 1:4. An inheritance for eternity ( cf. Hebrews 9:15). For the Bible is very clear that “he who has the Son has life (but) he who does not have the Son of God does not have life” 1 John 5:12.