By the middle of the 16th century the Dutch city of Nijmegen had become famous for its weaving industry, and the family of Jan Block had become wealthy in that trade. Jan became a local celebrity, well-known for his lifestyle of sin and partying.
Attracted to this lifestyle was another young man named, Symon van Maren. Symon had moved from the city of Hertogenbosch, where he had heard the preaching of the gospel through the Anabaptists. Also seared into his memeory was what he saw of the martyrdom of several of those believers. It is conjectured by some historians that Symon fled from his home, trying to escape the witness of God’s people and the conviction of the Holy Spirit.
But there is no escape from the Lord when He is seeking His elect, and the Lord’s conviction continued. While in Nijmegen Symon repented before God, putting his trust for salvation in Christ, rather than in the Roman Catholic Church and the sacraments. His life was revolutionized with inner peace and outward righteous living. No longer was he frequenting the taverns with his friends, and Jan wanted to know the reason. Symon tried to explain, and urged his former drinking partner to read the Word of God. Being impressed with the change in his friend’s life, he consented. As he seriously considered the testimony of God and his friend Symon, he too fell under Holy Spirit conviction to which he eventually surrendered, putting his faith in Christ. Knowing it wasn’t enough simply to live a different lifestyle, he became determined to be baptized as a testimony. He sought out some local Anabaptists and after his immersion, he joined them in their worship and evangelism.
To make a long story short, Jan Block was arrested for spreading religious heresy. On this day in 1569, as he was led to the stake where he was to be burned to death, it seemed as though he was in charge of a joyful parade. One witness testified that it was as if Jan was on his way to a wedding feast. There is a sense in which that was exactly what was taking place.