One Died for All

What do the names Franciszek Gajowniczek and Maximilian Kolbe mean to you? Probably nothing! Both were incarcerated at Auschwitz. Kolbe was a Franciscan priest. Gajowniczek was one of the millions of Jews sent to Auschwitz by the Germans. In July of 1941 there was an escape from the prison. It was the custom of the Germans to kill ten prisoners for everyone who escaped. The prisoners were gathered in the courtyard and the ten were randomly selected. Among the ten whose names were read off was Franciszek Gajowniczek. As his name was read, Franciszek began to sob. “My wife and my children,” he cried. It was then that Maximilian Kolbe entered the story. Hearing Gajowniczek’s sobs, he made his way to the front of the line. “Herr Kommandant,” he spoke, “I wish to make a request, please.” Surprisingly, he was not shot. “I have no wife and children,” he said. “Besides, I am old and not good for anything. He (Gajowniczek) is in better condition.” And that’s how Maximilian Kolbe took the place of Franciszek Gajowniczek. Gajowniczek survived the Holocaust. Every year he goes back to Auschwitz to say thank you to the man who died in his place.

It is a beautiful story of loving sacrifice, but there is a more wonderful story than the one we just shared. It is the story of one who died for all men. It is the story of Jesus Christ. In the words of the apostle Paul, “…we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

The cross awaits, but another has taken our place. He is guilty of no crime. He has lived a perfect life. But, still he died that all might live. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). He took our place, and a lifetime of service and obedience will never repay that debt. Thank God He died for us! Pray God we will ever live for Him!