John Huss (meaning: “goose”) is often regarded as a hero for his courage in standing up for the Lord Jesus Christ in times of persecution.

Persecution is part and parcel of the life of an obedient, holy witness for Christ. We may face persecution from unbelievers, but the most painful persecution comes from the people closest to us, i.e. those from within the church.

God’s Word promises double blessings when His children face persecution. When we are persecuted, we must make sure that it is for Christ’s righteousness (Matt 5:10). A person can face different types of persecution in his life, but who we suffer for will reveal who we truly serve. Being persecuted for Christ’s righteousness is clear evidence of a person’s salvation. Persecution is a privilege when we suffer for Jesus’s sake (Matt 5:11). When we defend the inerrancy of the Word of God, we must be prepared to be falsely accused. We must count it all joy when we experience persecution for God (Matt 5:12), because He promises us great reward in heaven when we suffer for His sake on earth.

John Huss (1369 – 1415) was born to peasant parents in Husinec (meaning: “Goose Town”) in the Czech Republic. Because of poverty, his parents wanted John Huss to train for the priesthood, which was considered a well-paying profession at that time. In 1401, he was ordained into the Roman Catholic ministry and became a preacher at Bethlehem Chapel in Prague. Through the reading of God’s Word, John Huss was convicted of his sins and came to know Christ as Lord and Saviour. He was also influenced by the writings of John Wycliffe and preached against indulgences which were promoted by the pope. As a result, the Catholic church opposed John Huss and charged him for heresy.

In 1414, John Huss was summoned to the Council of Constance to settle the church dispute about his teachings. He was asked to recant his teachings which John Huss refused unless he can be proved wrong from God’s Word. John Huss was then sentenced to death on 6 July 1415 by being burnt at the stake. Before his death, he prayed for God to have mercy on his enemies. When he was burning, he also said something prophetic: “Today they burn a goose, but out of these flames a swan would arise and no one will be able to stop him.” The swan would be Martin Luther who, a hundred years later, would be the leader of the Sixteenth Century Reformation.