Stepping In For A Stranger
Illustration
by Michael P. Green

Auschwitz was the first German concentration camp to become an extermination camp. The gas chambers were in constant use. But because of the great influx of new prisoners daily, the Germans began to use firing squads as well.

One day, the commandant selected ten men from one barracks to be executed by the firing squad. One of those selected was the father of a large family. When he was pulled from his place in line, he fell to the ground, begging the commandant to spare his life. The commandant was unresponsive until the man standing next to the fallen one, a Catholic priest named Maximillian Kolbe, stepped forward to offer his life in exchange for the man on his knees. Surprisingly, the commandant agreed to such an arrangement. But, instead of being led away to the firing squad, Father Maximillian was thrown into a tiny damp cell where he suffered the agonizing death of starvation. Today, Maximillian Kolbe is honored by millions of people because he died in the place of one man.

Jesus Christ, through an agonizing death on the cross, died not for one man, or a few, or even several—but for all men.


Note: A true story. More Here on Father Kolbe.

Baker Books, 1500 Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, by Michael P. Green