Mark 8:34-38
Then Jesus called the crowd, along with his disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to become my follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and because of the gospel will save it. For what benefit is it for a person to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his life? What can a person give in exchange for his life? For if anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
Focusing on the Life of Jan Hus and the Moravian Church, if Jan had not first objected to the broad corruption of the church (specifically including indulgences), it is doubtful that Martin Luther and the Reformation would have gained any traction. Hus pointed to the primacy of Scripture's authority over tradition. Jan wanted every person to be able to read Scripture. His witness to the truth was so needed and so right, but yet was rejected entirely. It is hard to think about the church calling for and carrying out his death.
This perspective makes me think about who has gone before me, who was needed to be the starter, and who might have given their life for anything that I might do. Of course, it also makes me think about corruption and the perversion of truth. Nothing irritates me more than when leaders twist truth or facts to describe their own version of "truth."
We thank you, Almighty One, for sending faithful witnesses like Jan Hus. We praise you for your goodness and truth represented in the Holy Bible. Teach us to be careful, loving and compassionate examples for others. Promote justice and truth through the loving works of all your children. In the Name of Christ, we pray. Amen.
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