It happened in the Auschwitz extermination camp in World War II. There was an escape from the camp and as was the custom at that camp, for every escapee 10 other prisoners were selected at random and placed in a cell without food or water until they died. On this day the tenth person chosen was a man named Franciszek Gajowniczek who began to sob because he had a wife and children in the camp. From the assembled prisoners a Catholic priest named Maximilian Kolbe stepped forward and requested the camp commander allow him to take Gajowniczek’s place. Kolbe’s request was granted.
Gajowniczek never forgot Kolbe’s sacrifice. Every year he went to back to Auschwitz to say thanks to the man who died in his place. In his back yard there is a plaque he made himself to honor Kolbe. [1]
I have heard a lot of criticism of the Christian churches over my years. Some of my friends have given up on churches and no longer attend. God knows there is much the church needs to change and improve upon but in spite of all their failures, I still think it is important for me that once or twice a week I meet with other Christians to thank the one who took upon himself my sin and gave me eternal life. To remember again the one who:
“. . .was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV)
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[1] Max Lucado. Six Hours One Friday. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2004, pp. 45-47.
