I Understand Schindler
Steve Martin
“All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford — she gave her all." (Mark 12:44, THE MESSAGE)
Oskar Schindler was a German industrialist and a member of the Nazi Party who is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his enamelware and ammunitions factories in occupied Poland and the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia. He was born April 28, 1908, in Svitavy, Czech Republic, and died October 9, 1974, in Hildesheim, Germany. (Wikipedia)
His grave is included among those of the Righteous Gentiles, in a cemetery upon Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel. Seeing the tomb covered with many, many memorial stones, as is a customary tradition for Jews visiting family and friends’ grave sites, to leave their mark of visitation with a stone, indicates the love and respect he still receives to this day. (*see photos below.) I have seen the cemetery many times, and his gravesite among many. It causes one to strive even more in committing to fulfill one’s destiny in the Lord’s commission He has given each one of us.
Seeing the movie Schindler’s List in 1993, depicting his final years in saving the lives of those 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust murderous years of World War II, caused a deep stirring personally in my life. I believe I can speak the same for many others who sat in those American and worldwide theaters, witnessing these dramatic salvations. (Schindler was portrayed by Liam Neeson, with the movie directed by Steven Spielberg (a Jew). The production won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the year.)
Finally, after these 26 years since the movie has been released, I am now understanding Schindler more fully. I get it. I “see the big picture” more fully.
I realize the deliberate passion he had, the divine purpose he lived, and the definite plans the Lord gave him to fulfill. Oskar Schindler was given a mission, and comprehending it fully or not, he gave all he had within and without himself, to the very last. He finished the race. He saved others from certain death.
The Apostle Paul, himself laid hold of, apprehended, by the Lord Jesus, Yeshua the Messiah, wrote this regarding who you and I are, in our respective calling.
“For just as there are many parts that compose one body, but the parts don’t all have the same function; so there are many of us, and in union with the Messiah we comprise one body, with each of us belonging to the others. But we have gifts that differ and which are meant to be used according to the grace that has been given to us.
If your gift is prophecy, use it to the extent of your trust; if it is serving, use it to serve; if you are a teacher, use your gift in teaching; if you are a counselor, use your gift to comfort and exhort; if you are someone who gives, do it simply and generously; if you are in a position of leadership, lead with diligence and zeal; if you are one who does acts of mercy, do them cheerfully.” (Romans 12:4-8, Complete Jewish Bible)
Each of us has been given an eternal purpose. Each of us were created, specifically molded in our mother’s womb (not to be murdered before delivery) to walk in the Creator’s awesome realm. We are not just living here on planet earth for our own happiness and pleasure. We have been wonderfully created and given a high calling, a diving strategy, a significant opportunity to live out that which we too have been apprehended for.
As Paul again says, and we certainly can too, “Not as though I had already attained, either were
already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14, KJV)
Oskar Schindler finished the race. He took what he had been given and gave it his all. In the end, the deep, deep cry in his heart was to see more and more Jews freed from being herded onto the death camp trains, that would take them to the murderous gas chambers. He gave everything he had. And yet he so wanted to give more.
We too have a Savior. He Himself gave everything He had, coming from His throne in heaven, to give His life, even to the point of death on a horrible tree, experiencing a crucifixion of pain and suffering for you and I, to give us salvation and freedom, for eternal life with Him in heaven.
Don’t waste the life you have been given here on your own pleasure and self-seeking love. Give your life for the eternal purpose for which you too are to accomplish, in laying it down for others. You have a tremendous part in the salvation of others, giving and sharing the saving knowledge of the Gospel, through the life you live.
Your calling is great. The goal is there. It will take much effort and commitment to reach it. Even as Schindler gave all he had; even as Yeshua Ha Mashiach, the Ultimate and Only Savior of the world, gave all He had; so, we too must give all that we have.
But the eternal reward is so much worth it all.
Shalom and ahava (peace and love in Hebrew).
Now think on this,
Steve Martin
Founder/President
Love For His People, Inc.
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*Oskar Schindler died on 9 October 1974 and is buried in Jerusalem on Mount Zion,
the only member of the Nazi Party to be honored in this way.
Cemetery on Mount Zion in Jerusalem, Israel where Schindler is buried.
Cemetery entrance to the grave site of Oskar Schindler in Jerusalem, Israel
(See his name at the top of the gate.)
Oskar Schindler's grave site on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem, Israel
- covered with stones left by visitors. To honor him and his deeds. |
Also, I hope you get my latest book, Adventures in Courage, published in November 2018. Comes in paperback or Kindle versions. This was my 19th authored publication. (Yes, this is an advertisement!)
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Now Think On This #385 - in the year of our Lord 01.30.19 – “I Understand Schindler” – Wednesday, 5:55 am
