October 6 – Jan Hus: A Voice of Truth in Bohemia

In the early fifteenth century, the Lord raised up a powerful preacher in Bohemia whose courage and convictions carried forward the torch lit by John Wycliffe. His name was Jan Hus. Though he ministered more than a century before the Reformation, Hus proclaimed the supremacy of Scripture, the corruption of the papacy, and the necessity of faith in Christ. His boldness would cost him his life, but his witness would inspire generations.

From Peasant to Preacher

Born in 1372 in the small village of Husinec, Bohemia (modern-day Czech Republic), Jan Hus grew up in poverty. Despite his humble beginnings, he pursued education and excelled. He eventually studied at the University of Prague, where he became a priest and later a professor.

Hus was deeply influenced by the writings of John Wycliffe, whose works had made their way from England into Bohemia. As he studied the Scriptures and Wycliffe’s ideas, he became convinced that the church needed radical reform.

A Pulpit of Power

Hus became the preacher at Bethlehem Chapel in Prague, a church that seated over 3,000 people and was devoted to preaching in the Czech language rather than Latin. His sermons, rooted in Scripture, condemned clerical immorality, indulgences, and the arrogance of church leaders.

He insisted that Christ, not the Pope, was the true head of the church. He denounced the sale of indulgences as a lie that exploited the poor. And he declared that salvation was found only through faith in Christ, not in the sacraments or merits of the clergy.

Theology that Anticipated the Reformation

Jan Hus held convictions that would later be at the center of the Reformation:

• Scripture as the Final Authority: Hus proclaimed that God’s Word, not papal decrees, was the ultimate standard of truth.

• Christ as Head of the Church: He rejected the Pope’s claim to be the vicar of Christ, teaching that the church is the body of believers united to Christ by faith.

• Salvation by Faith: While not as fully developed as Luther, Hus emphasized that salvation came by trusting Christ, not by works or payments.

• Moral Reform: He called priests and leaders to repentance and holiness, exposing the corruption of the institutional church.

Opposition and Trial

The Roman Church could not tolerate Hus’s bold preaching. In 1414, he was summoned to the Council of Constance to defend his teachings. The Emperor had granted him safe conduct, but upon arrival he was imprisoned. For months he was interrogated, pressured, and urged to recant.

Hus stood firm. He declared, “I would not for a chapel full of gold recede from the truth.” On July 6, 1415, the council condemned him as a heretic. He was led outside the city, tied to a stake, and burned alive. As the flames rose, he sang hymns and prayed, entrusting himself to Christ.

The Goose and the Swan

The name “Hus” means “goose” in Czech. Before his execution, Hus reportedly said, “You may cook this goose, but in a hundred years a swan will arise which you will not be able to silence.” A century later, Martin Luther would be called that swan, and the Reformation would break forth.

Legacy and Impact

Jan Hus’s martyrdom sent shockwaves across Europe. In Bohemia, his followers, known as the Hussites, carried on his message, resisting papal armies and continuing to preach the gospel. His insistence on Scripture’s authority and Christ’s headship paved the way for the Reformation.

The Reformers looked back to Hus as a forerunner. Luther himself, when reading Hus’s works, said, “We are all Hussites without knowing it.”

Biblical Reflection

Hus’s faithfulness unto death echoes the words of Revelation 2:10:

“Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

He treasured the crown of life more than the favor of men or the safety of his body.

Application for Today

Jan Hus challenges us with three enduring lessons:

1. Stand Firm in the Truth – Even under threat of death, Hus would not recant. Will we stand boldly for Christ in a culture hostile to His Word?

2. Christ Alone is Head of the Church – Hus’s rejection of papal authority reminds us to trust no human leader above Christ.

3. Faithfulness Bears Fruit Beyond Our Lives – Hus died before seeing reform, but his courage inspired Luther and the Reformation. We too may sow seeds whose harvest comes after we are gone.

Conclusion

Jan Hus’s life and death testify to the power of God’s Word and the courage of those who cling to Christ above all else. Though the flames consumed his body, his testimony lit a fire that no council or emperor could quench. His witness continues to call the church to faithfulness today: Christ alone is our head, His Word alone our authority, and His grace alone our hope.