Paul of Tarsus was a renowned missionary, who dedicated much of his life to the gospel of Christ.
Since his conversion into the Christendom (Acts 9:3-20), when he changed from Saul to become Paul, he never ceased to proclaim the gospel of salvation to the gentiles.
This made him popular and was adored by others.
Although he was a major figure within the very small Christian movement of the time, he also had many enemies and detractors, and his contemporaries did not accord him as much respect as he deserved.
Paul, who was arrested thrice for preaching the gospel prior to his martyrdom, spent much of imprisonment time writing the epistles to different churches and proteges.
The popular epistles he wrote during his incarceration include Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, Philemon and the poignant 2nd Timothy. These have become the anchor of the Christian movement as a whole.
These epistles were meant to encourage the churches, imploring them to adhere to the doctrine of Christ.
The story of Paul bears similar resemblance to that of incarcerated opposition CCC Legislator Job Sikhala, whose party has described his imprisonment as political persecution.
The fiery Sikhala seems to have taken a leaf from the book of Paul, as he too regularly writes letters from prison, just as Paul did, to encourage and strengthen his compatriots’.
Just as Paul was arrested on several occasions for fighting for what he believed in, so too has “Wiwa”, who has been arrested numerous times over his fight for democracy.
Since his incarceration on June 14 in 2022, Sikhala has been using letters to communicate with both local and international friends and associates.
Barely a fortnight ago (14 June 2023) the Zengeza West Member of Parliament marked 365 days in pre-trial prison. He marked this occasion with another letter to his comrades.
On his first-year anniversary in chains, Sikhala wrote an emotional letter, highlighting the brutality that he has been subjected to.
What has shocked many is his defiance in the face of harsh persecution, even as he has spent a year in jail.
“Oppressors never serve justice. Oppressors have no shame,” said Sikhala in his letter.
The words portrayed a courageous Sikhala, who in the midst of affliction has proven his bravery and conviction of character, as he assured the nation and his supporters that he would never be broken.
“Let me assure you,” he said. “I will stand with people even if it costs my freedom. I will stand with people even if it costs my professional and political carrier. I will stand with people even if it costs my blood.”
“Despite of the circumstances I’m currently in, we must always look into the future. We must always look into the future. We must never be defined by our situations, but define ourselves in every situation.”
The man who is supposed to be encouraged is encouraging, the man who is supposed to be comforted is comforting. This shows a very strong conviction in his beliefs and a hard to break spirit on his part, as many in similar circumstances would have been broken.
It certainly seems Wiwa, as he is affectionately known by his legion of supporters, is a man of bravery, strength and determination.
His supporters have called for his release, arguing that he is suffering from political persecution, and it is their hopes that he will soon be back to his family and business.