He was born of “peasant stock” in an area know today as the Czech Republic, but he grew up to be a scholar and professor. Eventually he became the president of the University of Prague. Respected, scholarly and diligent, he translated the Latin text of the New Testament into Czech and began to read and teach what it taught in his native tongue, the Czech language. As he did, he began to criticize some of the abuses of the Catholic Church.
For these three things, 1) Translating the New Testament from Latin into Czech, 2) teaching what the New Testament taught in Czech and 3) criticizing abuses of the Church against the backdrop of the New Testament, a Papal Bull was issued against John Hus in 1412. The result of the edict was that “Anyone could kill the Czech reformer on sight, and those who gave him food or shelter would suffer the same fate. When three of Hus’ followers spoke publicly against the practice of selling indulgences, there were captured and beheaded.” *1
When you hold your English Bible in your hand, remember that such men (and women) and such sacrifices by your brothers and sisters in previous generations, made it possible for you to have the privilege of holding a Bible in a language you can read. Remember them, and thank God for them, and honor their lives and sacrifice by becoming a student of the living and active word of the Living God.
Your Bible is a treasure. Read it and be transformed by it.
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