On This Day in History: April 9th, 1945

April 9th, 1945

Flossenbürg Concentration Camp, Germany

   Between 5 and 6 o’clock in the morning, several prisoners were taken from their cells and had their sentences read to them. They were sentenced to death. One of the men knelt and prayed fervently before being led to the place of execution. At the gallows, he said another short prayer, then climbed the steps, calmly and courageously. A doctor who witnessed his death said, “In the almost fifty years that I worked as a doctor, I have hardly ever seen a person die so entirely submissive to the will of God.” 

   The man’s name was Dietrich Bonhoeffer. 

   He was a thirty-nine-year-old German pastor and had been sentenced to death for his role in the German Resistance against the Nazis and the plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. 

   The day before was Sunday, the first Sunday after Easter. It was Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s last full day on earth. He and a number of others were imprisoned in a school building. A fellow prisoner asked Dietrich to hold a service. Dietrich prayed, read the verses, Isaiah 53:5 and 1 Peter 1:3, and explained them to his fellow prisoners. 

   He’d barely finished the service when the door opened, and two men ordered Dietrich to “Get ready to come with us.” Everyone knew what those words meant. 

Dietrich's family had received no news of him for a couple of months. So he took a book his family had given him for a birthday present, wrote his name and address in it, and left it behind for them.

   Before leaving, Dietrich told a fellow prisoner, “This is the end. For me, the beginning of life.” 

   Dietrich was taken to Flossenbürg concentration camp, given a speedy trial, and promptly sentenced to death. By this time, it was only a few hours before dawn–and his execution. 

   Two weeks later, the Allies liberated Flossenbürg. Three weeks later, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. 

   While it seems like a senseless tragedy that he died a mere few weeks before the end of the war, Dietrich himself would not have seen it that way. He believed his life was in God’s hands and was unafraid of death. He said, 

   “Death is only dreadful for those who live in fear of it. Death is not wild and terrible, if only we can be still and hold fast to God’s Word.” 

   He was the sixth of eight children. One of his brothers died in World War I; another brother was also executed for his role in the Resistance against Hitler. Two brothers-in-law also lost their lives for the same reason. 

   Dietrich left behind loving parents, a twin sister he was very close to, other siblings, many friends, and the girl he was going to marry. 

   When Dietrich’s father heard the news of the deaths of his two sons and two sons-in-law, he said, “We are sad, but also proud.” 

   Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s life was short, but it was full. He was a pastor, a theologian, and a writer. And when he saw his country overtaken by a great evil, he believed God was calling him to stand against it–even if it cost his life. 

   And his story and his writings are still impacting people today. 

   ***

   I’m one of many people who have been encouraged to follow Christ more fully through reading the story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. And I included his story in my book which just released today! The revised and expanded edition of Do Justly, Love Mercy, Walk Humbly is published! I chose today as the release day because today marks 80 years since the death of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and it also marks 8 years since I published the first edition of this, my very first book. This new edition includes new stories and new and updated informational and inspirational sections. 

Here’s the description for it:

There are more slaves today than any other time in history, babies’ lives are ended while still in their mother’s womb, orphans are left alone and uncared for, human life is disregarded, and souls are dying without knowing Jesus. If you’ve ever looked around at the needs in the world today, and thought, “I wish I could do something, but what?”–this book is for you. In this book, you’ll find information about issues like human trafficking, abortion, and orphans, inspiration to take action, real-life stories of people from history and people today, and a list of 102 ideas of how you can begin to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God in your everyday life. This book is not about doing things that necessarily look big and glamorous, rather it’s about how God can use the small everyday acts of justice and mercy and love. A single spark can light a wildfire. A single candle can light ten thousand. A tiny seed can become a great tree. God is calling us to shine His light in this world, to be a voice for life and freedom, to share a message of hope. And no matter who you are, there is something you can do. You, dear friend, in a small way, can change the world. Includes the stories of these Christian heroes from history: Dietrich Bonhoeffer Corrie ten Boom Diet Eman Hans Poley William Wilberforce Amy Carmichael George Müller Gladys Aylward Louis Zamperini Perpetua Margaret Wilson Peggy Covell and more!

You can order a signed copy of the book directly from me here or find it on Amazon here.

As always, remember, "He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it," (1 Thess. 5:24).

All for Him

Savannah Jane

Footnote:

My source for Dietrich Bonhoeffer's story is the book Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy by Eric Metaxas