It was July 1941, and the place was Auschwitz concentration camp. The man was Rajumund Kolbe a Franciscan priest. When he joined the priesthood, he was given the name Maximilian. He was a prolific writer and publisher and radio broadcaster who sought to spread the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. After Germany invaded Poland, the Nazis arrested him in 1941 for his anti-Nazi writings, and he was eventually sent to Auschwitz as prisoner number 16670. That July day a prisoner had escaped from Auschwitz and the guards picked out ten men to die in reprisal for that act. One of the men, Franciszek Gajowiczek screamed that he had a wife and children. Kolbe immediately stepped forward and said, “I will take his place.” On that day he was led to a starvation bunker with nine other men. It was over two weeks in that dark bunker. They had no food and no water. He led them in prayers and whispers of comfort and hope. One by one the men died. Kolbe was still alive and still praying. The guards needed the bunker, so they killed him by a lethal injection of phenol on August 14, 1941. It is said that Francis Gajowniczek survived not only that day, but the entire war. What can drive a person to do something like that? Well, he was choosing to do what the Jesus of the Bible had taught him and teaches us today…to love each other in the same way he has loved you. That there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. For us the chances that we will have to physically die for someone today are pretty low. But there are other kinds of ways to sacrifice for others. It might be for family, for friends or for those you share a part of your life with in some other way. And your sacrifice of time, treasure, effort, pride or even dignity might not even be noticed by anyone around you. But the God of the Bible remembers. He reminded you today of a Polish priest who willingly laid down his life…for a stranger. And to give comfort and hope to others who would be condemned with him. And he reminded you today of someone who did this over 80 years ago. God may give you the chance to sacrifice for another today and demonstrate to earth and heaven the love of Jesus Christ. If you choose to follow that road there is no guarantee that you will be applauded for what you have done. But God will remember…forever. Go out and make God look good this day. Here’s our Bible verse for today…
John 15:12-13 NLT This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (13) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Remember, I’m praying for you today….
PJ
John 15:12-13 NLT This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (13) There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
Remember, I’m praying for you today….
PJ