Where Meek Souls Will Receive Him

Read Matthew 5:5, Psalm 37:11, Matthew 11:29, Ephesians 4:1-3

I have always loved the parable of the wealthy man who owned a magnificent and priceless art collection. He had invested millions of dollars into his collection, but the one piece that he loved the most was a portrait that an unknown artist had painted of the man’s deceased son. It wasn’t a very good painting, compared to others in his collection, but the artist had captured his son’s kind and generous spirit and the man took great joy in gazing at the likeness of his son.

One day the wealthy man died and crowds of eager art collectors gathered to bid on the pieces from his collection. The first piece displayed was the portrait of the man’s son. The collectors in attendance grumbled, certainly not wanting such a poor piece of art, and impatient to get to the real collection.

The auctioneer began his work, but no one bid. The opening bid suggested by the auctioneer went from millions of dollars down to thousands, but still, no one bid. Finally, a man came forward and asked if he could buy the portrait. “I don’t have very much money, but I knew the son. He was always very kind to me, and it would be an honor for me to have his portrait.”

“How much money do you have?” asked the auctioneer.

The man fumbled in his pockets and pulled out some crumpled bills, holding them out to the auctioneer.

The auctioneer pounded his gavel and called out, “Sold! For twenty dollars! This auction is now closed!”

The wealthy collectors were astonished. “But you haven’t presented any of the real paintings! When will they be auctioned?” One man called out.

“You misunderstood,” the auctioneer explained. “It wasn’t only the portrait of the son that was being auctioned off. It was the entire collection. You see, the owner loved his son very much and he instructed that when the time came to auction his collection, whoever took the son’s portrait would take the entire collection. This gentleman has just purchased the entire collection of priceless art for $20.”

This story reminds me not to get so enamored with the riches that this world has to offer that I miss out on the true gift of Jesus. His lowly birth, His meekness and gentleness- He was not like a King at all. Yet, He is the Sovereign of all the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No matter what this world may offer, his worth transcends it all; yet He gives Himself freely. What a wonderful Messiah He is.