Meditation - July 5, 2020
Pastor - Rev. Elroy Christopher: First Moravian Church of Georgia
THERE CAN BE NO COMPROMISE
A reflection for
THE COMMEMORATION OF THE MARTYRDOM OF JUN HUS.
We join Moravian throughout the Unity in commemorating of the martyrdom of John Hus, which took place in the year 1415. It is important for us because Hus’s followers banded themselves together= in a movement which eventually led to the founding of the Unity of Brethren, (Unitas Fratrum) now commonly known as the Moravian Church.
Hus dedicated his life to the proclamation the gospel of Jesus Christ in ways that the ordinary people would understand and appreciate. His work brought him into conflict with the powerful established church.
Having earned his Master’s Degree at the University of Prague Hertz became a lecturer and Dean of the faculty of philosophy and developed an interested in theology. He was obviously influenced by the words of the English reformer John Wycliffe who said that if the edicts of the pope were not in keeping with the teachings of scripture they ought not to be obeyed. Hus applied for the priesthood and after his ordination, was assigned to the Bethlehem Chapel. There he to openly criticized and condemned the indulgences and inequities which were being practiced by the church establishment.
This led to efforts to silence him in. He was excommunicated, imprisoned and kept in chains. Eventually, after being tried at the Council of Constance, where he was not allowed to defend himself, Hus was sentenced to death as a heretic. He was burned at the stake on July 6, 1415.
There are two statements by Hus that are worth mentioning
The first came after he was stripped of his priestly vestments and instrument with the words “We take from you, you Judas, this cup of salvation.” To this, Hus replied “But God does not take it from me. And I shall drink of it today in His kingdom.”
Then, as the straw and wood for the fire were piled around him, Hus was presented an opportunity to change his position, which essentially was supposed to be an opportunity for freedom, safety, security and comfort. He was being offered “the world”.
This was when he made the second statement: “I shall gladly die in the faith of the gospel which I have preached.”
Hus had a passion to see people come to salvation in Jesus Christ. It was for this he lived and died.
In the Gospel according to Mark, In Verses 36-37 Jesus asked his disciples and by extension each of us as individuals and collectively as His church: ‘For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?’
As Christians first, and as Moravians commemorating the life, work and martyrdom of Hus, we must examine our lives and what we stand for as we are confronted by issues and situations which cut to the very core the faith. Things such as oppression, exploitation, divisiveness, injustice , discrimination, poverty and hunger, killings and social unrest, the inequities in the distribution of wealth, The COVID 19 pandemic, even religious bigotry among others. In these times there are those who would rather have the people if God but compromising our witness in exchange for the safety, security and comfort which the world’s authorities offer. Should that even be a consideration? No!! What the world offers is temporary. God in Jesus Christ, whom we serve, offers that which is everlasting.
During his temptation in the wilderness, the devil took Jesus to a high mountain where he offered Him the kingdoms of the world if he would just fall down and worship him (the devil).
He was attempting to have Jesus compromise himself as the Son of God. Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only. (Matthew 4:10) There was no compromise!
Hus took a stand, for what he knew in his heart to be in keeping with the will of God through Jesus Christ for his people. There was no comprised. Instead he opted to make the ultimate sacrifice – death.
The tumultuous and troubling times in which we live require us to be faithful to our Lord and true to the work he has given us. Jesus calls us to take a stand for justice, mercy and truth in His name irrespective of the consequences that may come.
Jesus said: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” Mark 8:38.