Franciszek Gajowniczek was a Nazi prisoner in Auschwitz when a fellow inmate escaped. The standard discipline when anyone escaped was to select 10 men at random and place them in a cell where they were left to starve to death. When Gajowniczek heard his name read, he sobbed, “My wife and my children.” At that moment a Franciscan priest and fellow inmate named Kolbe stepped forward and said, “I will die in his place. I have no wife or children.” The Commandant granted his request.
Since that time Gajowniczek has gone back every year to Auschwitz on the 14th August to remember the man who died for him on that date in 1941. And in his yard, he placed a plaque to honour this priest and to remind others of his great sacrifice.
About A.D. 68, Paul wrote to his young pastor friend Timothy from a prison, reminding him that the Saviour’s death and resurrection provided hope, confidence and the prospect of glory (2 Tim. 2 v 8-13). Then he told him to remind others of these wonderful truths (v 14).”
I think this is an amazing story about what one man was willing to do for another. How many of us in a similar situation would be brave enough to do this? I’m not suggesting we should give up our life but perhaps give a part of it.
We can give our time and talents and prayer to help others. We can give thanks for all the live donors who donate a kidney to someone in desperate need. We can let others know what Christ can do, when we tell them what He has done for us.