1, 2. Kodi Paulo ankayembekezera kuyenda ulendo wotani, ndipo mwina ndi zinthu ziti zomwe zinkamudetsa nkhawa?

PAULO ankaganizirabe mawu amene Bwanamkubwa Fesito ananena akuti, “udzapitadi kwa Kaisara,” chifukwa ankadziwa kuti mawuwa akukhudza zimene zingamuchitikire m’tsogolo. Iye anakhala zaka ziwiri m’ndende, choncho mwina ankaona kuti ulendo wake wautali wopita ku Roma ukanam’patsa mpata woona zinthu zina. (Mac. 25:12) Koma maulendo ambiri amene Paulo anayenda panyanja anali ochititsa mantha, osati osangalatsa, omaona malo okongola n’kumapitidwa kamphepo kayaziyazi. N’kuthekanso kuti Paulo akaganiza za ulendo wokaonana ndi Kaisara, panali zinthu zina zimene zinkamudetsa nkhawa.

² Paulo anakumanapo ndi ‘zoopsa panyanja’ maulendo ambiri. Katatu konse ngalawa inawaswekera ndipo anakhalapo panyanja masana onse komanso usiku wonse. (2 Akor. 11:25, 26) Kuwonjezera pamenepo, ulendo uwu unali wosiyana kwambiri ndi maulendo amene anayenda pa ntchito yake yaumishonale asanamangidwe. Pa ulendowu, Paulo anali mkaidi komanso ulendo wake unali wautali kwambiri, wa makilomita oposa 3,000 kuchokera ku Kaisareya mpaka ku Roma. Kodi iye akanatha kuyenda ulendo woterewu osakumana ndi mavuto alionse? Ndipo ngakhale akanapanda kukumana ndi vuto lililonse, kodi ku Roma sakanaweruzidwa kuti aphedwe? Pajatu Paulo ankayembekezera kukaweruzidwa ndi wolamulira yemwe anali wamphamvu kwambiri pa nthawiyo m’dziko la Satanali.

3. Kodi Paulo ankafunitsitsa kuchita chiyani, nanga tikambirana chiyani m’mutuwu?

³ Popeza mwawerenga zinthu zambiri zokhudza Paulo pofika pano, kodi mukuganiza kuti iye analibe chiyembekezo ndiponso ankada nkhawa ndi zimene zikanamuchitikira? Ayi. Iye ankadziwa kuti akumana ndi mavuto, koma sankadziwa kuti akhala otani. Choncho ankaona kuti si bwino kuti asiye kusangalala ndi utumiki wake chifukwa choda nkhawa ndi zinthu zimene sangathe kuzisintha. (Mat. 6:27, 34) Paulo ankadziwa kuti cholinga cha Yehova chinali chakuti mtumwiyu agwiritse ntchito mpata uliwonse polalikira uthenga wabwino wa Ufumu wa Mulungu, ngakhale kwa akuluakulu a boma. (Mac. 9:15) Paulo ankafunitsitsa kukwaniritsa ntchito yakeyi, zivute zitani. Kodi nafenso cholinga chathu si chomwechi? Tsopano tiyeni timutsatire pa ulendo wofunikawu, ndipo tione mmene chitsanzo chake chingatithandizire.

‘Mphepo Inkawomba Kuchokera Kutsogolo Kwathu’ (Machitidwe 27:1-7a)

4. Kodi Paulo anakwera ngalawa yotani, ndipo ndi ndani anamuperekeza pa ulendowu?

⁴ Paulo ndi akaidi ena anaperekedwa m’manja mwa msilikali wina wa Chiroma, dzina lake Yuliyo, kuti aziwayang’anira. Msilikaliyo anaganiza zokwera ngalawa yonyamula katundu imene inafika ku Kaisareya. Ngalawayi inkachokera kudoko la Adiramutiyo limene linali m’dera la m’mbali mwa nyanja kumadzulo kwa Asia Minor. Dokoli linali moyang’anizana ndi mzinda wa Mitilene womwe unali pachilumba cha Lesbos. Ngalawayi inkalowera chakumpoto ndipo kenako inkakhotera chakumadzulo. Pa ulendowu inkaima n’kumatsitsa ndi kukweza katundu. Ngalawa zoterezi sankazipanga kuti muzikwera anthu, makamakanso akaidi. (Onani bokosi lakuti, “Maulendo Apanyanja Komanso Njira za Amalonda.”) Mwamwayi, si Paulo yekha amene anali Mkhristu m’ngalawamo, momwe munali zigawenga zambiri. Panalinso Akhristu anzake ena awiri amene anamuperekeza omwe ndi Arisitako ndi Luka. Ndipotu Luka ndi amene analemba nkhaniyi. Sitikudziwa ngati Arisitako ndi Luka analipira okha ulendowo, kapena ngati anangokwera nawo ngati atumiki a Paulo.​—Mac. 27:1, 2.

5. Kodi Paulo anakumana ndi ndani ku Sidoni, ndipo tikuphunzirapo chiyani?

⁵ Atayenda kwa tsiku limodzi panyanja pamtunda wa makilomita pafupifupi 110 kulowera kumpoto, ngalawayo inaima ku Sidoni, gombe la ku Siriya. Zikuoneka kuti Yuliyo sankaona Paulo ngati mkaidi wamba, mwina chifukwa choti anali nzika ya Roma ndipo anali asanam’peze ndi mlandu uliwonse. (Mac. 22:27, 28; 26:31, 32) Choncho Yuliyo analola kuti Paulo apite kumtunda kukaona Akhristu anzake. Abale ndi alongo ayenera kuti anasangalala kwambiri kusamalira mtumwiyu, amene anakhala m’ndende kwa nthawi yaitali. Kodi inuyo mukuganiza kuti mungagwiritse ntchito mipata iti kuti muchereze ena n’kulimbitsidwa?​—Mac. 27:3.

6-8. Kodi Paulo anayenda bwanji kuchokera ku Sidoni kukafika ku Kinido, ndipo n’kutheka kuti anapeza mpata wolalikira kwa ndani?

⁶ Ngalawayo itachoka ku Sidoni, inapitiriza kuyenda m’mbali mwa nyanja ndipo inadutsa mzinda wa Kilikiya, womwe unali pafupi ndi mzinda wa Tariso, kwawo kwa Paulo. Luka sanatchulenso malo ena amene anaima, koma anatchula mfundo ina yochititsa mantha yakuti, ‘mphepo inkawomba kuchokera kutsogolo kwathu.’ (Mac. 27:4, 5) Ngakhale zinali choncho, sitikukayikira kuti Paulo anagwiritsa ntchito mpata uliwonse kuti alalikire uthenga wabwino. Iye ayenera kuti ankalalikira kwa akaidi anzake, anthu ogwira ntchito m’ngalawayo, asilikali ndiponso anthu amene ankakumana nawo m’madoko amene ngalawayo inkaima. Kodi nafenso masiku ano timagwiritsa ntchito mpata uliwonse umene wapezeka kuti tilalikire kwa anthu ena?

⁷ Patapita nthawi, ngalawayo inafika kudoko la Mura, lomwe linali kugombe lakum’mwera kwa Asia Minor. Atafika kumeneko, Paulo ndi anthu amene anali nawo ankafunika kukwera ngalawa ina yopita ku Roma, komwe iwo ankapita. (Mac. 27:6) M’masiku amenewo, chakudya chambiri cha anthu a ku Roma chinkachokera ku Iguputo, ndipo ngalawa za ku Iguputo zonyamula tirigu zinkaima ku Mura. Yuliyo anapeza ngalawa imodzi yoteroyo n’kukwera limodzi ndi asilikali komanso akaidi aja. Zikuoneka kuti ngalawa imeneyi inali yokulirapo kuposa yoyamba ija. M’ngalawayo munali tirigu amene anali wamtengo wapatali komanso anthu okwana 276. Pa anthu amenewa panali anthu ogwira ntchito m’ngalawayo, asilikali, akaidi komanso mwina anthu ena amene ankapita ku Roma. Apatu Paulo anapeza anthu ambiri oti awalalikire ndipo ayenera kuti anagwiritsa ntchito bwino mpata umenewu.

⁸ Atachoka ku Mura anakaima ku Kinido, kum’mwera chakumadzulo kwa Asia Minor. Kukakhala mphepo yabwino, ngalawa inkatha kuyenda ulendo umenewu tsiku limodzi lokha. Koma Luka analemba kuti: “Tinayenda pang’onopang’ono kwa masiku angapo ndipo tinafika ku Kinido movutikira.” (Mac. 27:7a) Anthuwa anavutika kuyenda chifukwa panyanja pankawomba mphepo yamphamvu. (Onani bokosi lakuti, “Mphepo Zoopsa Zapanyanja ya Mediterranean.”) Taganizirani mmene anthu mungalawayo ankamvera pamene ankalimbana ndi mphepo yamkuntho komanso mafunde.

‘Mphepo Yamkuntho Inkatikankha Mwamphamvu’ (Machitidwe 27:7b-26)

9, 10. Kodi anthu amene anali m’ngalawa anakumana ndi mavuto otani kufupi ndi Kerete?

⁹ Woyendetsa ngalawa ankafuna kuti apitirizebe ulendowo n’kumalowera chakumadzulo kwa Kinido, koma Luka analemba kuti analephera kupitirira “chifukwa cha mphepo yomwe inkawomba kuchokera kutsogolo.” (Mac. 27:7b) Pamene ngalawayo inayamba kutalikirana ndi mtunda, inasiya kukankhidwa ndi mphepo yochokera kumtunda. Kenako mphepo yamphamvu kwambiri yochokera kumpoto chakumadzulo, inayamba kukankhira ngalawayo chakum’mwera mwamphamvu kwambiri. Pa nthawi ina m’mbuyomo chilumba cha Kupuro chinateteza ngalawayo ku mphepo yamkuntho. Apanso chilumba cha Kerete chinateteza ngalawayi. Ngalawayi itadutsa kaphiri kothera m’nyanja kotchedwa Salimone, komwe kanali kumapeto kwa chilumba cha Kerete chakum’mawa, zinthu zinakhalako bwino. Zinali choncho chifukwa ngalawayo inafika kum’mwera kwa chilumbacho, ndipo inatchingidwa ku mphepo yamkuntho imene inkawomba. Anthu amene anali m’ngalawamo mitima yawo inakhalako m’malo. Komabe kwa nthawi yonse imene ngalawayo inali panyanja, anthuwo ayenera kuti ankada nkhawa akakumbukira kuti nyengo yozizira ili pafupi.

¹⁰ Luka analemba mwatsatanetsatane kuti: “Titayenda movutikira m’mbali mwa chilumba chimenechi [cha Kerete], tinafika pamalo ena otchedwa Madoko Okoma.” Ngakhale kuti sankavutikanso kwambiri ndi mphepo chifukwa choti anali kufupi ndi kumtunda, zinali zovutabe kuti awongolere ngalawayo. Koma kenako anapeza malo oimika ngalawayo m’dera limene anthu amati lili pafupi ndi pamene gombe la nyanjayo limakhota n’kuyamba kulowera chakumpoto. Kodi anthuwa anakhala kumeneko nthawi yaitali bwanji? Luka ananena kuti anakhalako “nthawi yaitali.” Koma zimenezi zinali zoopsa chifukwa anali atayandikira miyezi ya September ndi October, pamene kuyenda panyanja kunkakhala koopsa.​—Mac. 27:8, 9.

11. Kodi Paulo anapereka malangizo otani kwa anthu amene anali m’ngalawa, koma iwo anachita chiyani?

¹¹ Anthu ena m’ngalawamo mwina anafunsira nzeru kwa Paulo chifukwa chakuti iye anali atayendapo panyanja ya Mediterranean. Iye anawalangiza kuti ngalawayo isapitirize ulendowo. Anawauza kuti ikapitiriza ‘awonongetsa zambiri,’ mwinanso kufa kumene. Koma woyendetsa ndiponso mwiniwake wa ngalawayo ankafuna kupitiriza ulendowo n’cholinga choti akapeze malo abwino oimapo. Iwo anapangitsanso kuti Yuliyo agwirizane ndi maganizo awo oti apitirize ulendowo. Komanso anthu ambiri anavomereza kuti ayenera kukafika kudoko la Finikesi, lomwe linali kutsogolo. Mwina padoko limeneli panali malo aakulu komanso abwino pomwe akanatha kukhalapo m’nyengo yozizira. Choncho ataona kuti kwayamba kuwomba kamphepo kochokera kum’mwera, ngalawayo inanyamuka.​—Mac. 27:10-13.

12. Atachoka ku Kerete, kodi ngalawa inakumana ndi zoopsa zotani, nanga anthuwo anatani kuti aipulumutse?

¹² Kenako kunayamba kuwomba “mphepo yamkuntho” yochokera kumpoto chakum’mawa. Kwakanthawi, iwo ankatchingidwa ndi “chilumba china chaching’ono chotchedwa Kauda,” chimene chinali pamtunda wa makilomita pafupifupi 65 kuchokera ku Madoko Okoma. Komabe, ngalawayo ikanatha kukankhidwira chakum’mwera mpaka kukafika kumilu ya mchenga, pafupi ndi gombe la ku Africa. Pofuna kupewa zimenezi, nthawi yomweyo oyendetsa anakweza m’ngalawamo bwato laling’ono limene ngalawayo inkakoka. Iwo anavutika kwambiri kuti achite zimenezi chifukwa bwato laling’onolo liyenera kuti linali litadzaza madzi. Kenako anayamba kumanga ngalawayo ndi zingwe kapena matcheni kuti alimbitse matabwa ake. Anthuwo anatsitsanso zingwe zomangira chinsalu cha ngalawa, ndipo anayesetsa kwambiri kuwongolera ngalawayo kuti adutse chimphepo chamkuntho. Zimenezi ziyenera kuti zinali zochititsa mantha kwambiri. Koma ngakhale kuti anachita zonsezi, ‘mphepo yamkuntho inapitirizabe kuwomba ndi kukankha mwamphamvu’ ngalawayo. Tsiku lachitatu, iwo anatayira m’madzi zingwe zokwezera chinsalu cha ngalawayo, mwina pofuna kuti isamire.​—Mac. 27:14-19.

13. Kodi zinthu zinali bwanji m’ngalawa imene Paulo anakwera pa nthawi imene kunali mphepo ya mkuntho?

¹³ Anthu ambiri m’ngalawamo ayenera kuti ankachita mantha kwambiri. Koma Paulo ndi anzake anali ndi chikhulupiriro kuti apulumuka. Ambuye anali atauza kale Paulo kuti akachitira umboni ku Roma, ndipo kenako mngelo anamutsimikizira kuti zimenezi zichitikadi. (Mac. 19:21; 23:11) Komabe, mphepo yamkunthoyo inapitirizabe kwa milungu iwiri, masana ndi usiku. Chifukwa chakuti kunkagwa mvula yosalekeza komanso kunali mitambo yambiri imene inaphimba dzuwa ndi nyenyezi, woyendetsa ngalawayo sankatha kudziwa pamene ali komanso kumene akulowera. Zinali zovuta kuti anthuwo adye popeza kunkazizira kwambiri, kunali mvula, ena ankasanza ndipo ena ankachita mantha kwambiri.

14, 15. (a) Polankhula ndi anthu amene anali nawo m’ngalawa, n’chifukwa chiyani Paulo anawakumbutsa za chenjezo limene anawapatsa? (b) Kodi tikuphunzira chiyani pa uthenga wolimbikitsa umene Paulo anauza anthuwo?

¹⁴ Kenako Paulo anaimirira ndipo anakumbutsa anthuwo chenjezo limene anawapatsa lija, koma sanalankhule mowanyoza, ngati akunena kuti, ‘Pajatu ndinakuuzani.’ Komabe, zimene zinkachitikazo unali umboni wosonyeza kuti zikanakhala bwino akanamvera malangizo ake aja. Ndiyeno anawauza kuti: “Musadandaule chifukwa palibe amene ataye moyo wake, koma ngalawa yokhayi iwonongeka.” (Mac. 27:21, 22) Mawu amenewa ayenera kuti analimbikitsa kwambiri anthuwo. Paulo ayenera kuti anasangalala kwambiri kuti Yehova anamuuza mawu olimbikitsa amenewa kuti auze anthuwo. N’zofunika kwambiri kuti tizikumbukira kuti Yehova amaona kuti moyo wa munthu aliyense ndi wofunika kwa iye. Mtumwi Petulo analemba kuti: “Yehova . . . sakufuna kuti wina aliyense adzawonongedwe, koma akufuna kuti anthu onse alape.” (2 Pet. 3:9) Choncho n’zofunika kwambiri kuti panopa tiziuza anthu ambiri uthenga wa Yehova wopatsa chiyembekezo, chifukwa moyo wa anthu amenewa, amene Yehova amawaona kuti ndi amtengo wapatali, uli pangozi.

¹⁵ N’zodziwikiratu kuti Paulo anali atalalikira kwa anthu ambiri m’ngalawamo zokhudza “chiyembekezo cha zimene Mulungu analonjeza.” (Mac. 26:6; Akol. 1:5) Tsopano poona kuti nthawi iliyonse ngalawayo ikhoza kusweka, Paulo anathandiza anthuwo kukhala ndi chiyembekezo choti apulumuka. Iye anati: “Usiku wapitawu mngelo wa Mulungu wanga . . . anaima pafupi ndi ine n’kunena kuti: ‘Usaope Paulo. Uyenera kukaima pamaso pa Kaisara. Ndipo dziwa kuti chifukwa cha iwe, Mulungu apulumutsa anthu onse amene uli nawo pa ulendowu.’” Kenako Paulo anawalimbikitsa kuti: “Choncho limbani mtima anthu inu, chifukwa ndikukhulupirira kuti Mulungu achita zonse zimene wandiuza. Komabe, ngalawa yathuyi iwonongeka pafupi ndi chilumba chinachake.”​—Mac. 27:23-26.

“Onse Anafika Kumtunda Ali Bwinobwino” (Machitidwe 27:27-44)

16, 17. (a) Kodi Paulo anapemphera pa nthawi iti, ndipo zimenezi zinakhudza bwanji anthu omwe anali naye? (b) Kodi mawu ochenjeza a Paulo anakwaniritsidwa bwanji?

¹⁶ Zinthu zochititsa manthazi zinachitika kwa milungu iwiri. Pa nthawi imeneyi, ngalawayo inakankhidwa kwa mtunda wa makilomita pafupifupi 870. Kenako oyendetsawo anazindikira kuti chinachake chasintha, mwina atayamba kumva phokoso la mafunde pagombe. Iwo anaponya anangula kumbuyo kwa ngalawayo kuti isatengeke ndi mafunde komanso kuti athe kuiwongolera mpaka kukafika bwinobwino m’mbali mwa nyanja. Atatero anthu ena ankafuna kutuluka m’ngalawayo, koma asilikali aja anawaletsa. Paulo anauza mkulu wa asilikali komanso asilikaliwo kuti: “Anthu awa akachoka m’ngalawa muno, simupulumuka.” Chifukwa choti tsopano ngalawa ija sinkakankhikakankhika kwambiri, Paulo analimbikitsa anthu onsewo kuti adye chakudya ndipo anawatsimikiziranso kuti apulumuka. Kenako Paulo “anayamika Mulungu pamaso pa onse.” (Mac. 27:31, 35) Popereka pemphero loyamikira limeneli, Paulo anapereka chitsanzo chabwino kwa Luka, Arisitako ndi Akhristu masiku ano. Kodi mapemphero amene mumapereka pagulu amalimbikitsa ndiponso kutonthoza ena?

¹⁷ Paulo atamaliza kupemphera, “onse analimba mtima n’kuyamba kudya.” (Mac. 27:36) Kenako anatayanso tirigu amene ngalawayo inanyamula n’cholinga choti ipepukidwe kuti ithe kuyandama ikamayandikira kumtunda. Kutacha, oyendetsa ngalawayo anadula anangula, anamasulanso zingwe zomangira nkhafi zowongolera ndipo anakweza m’mwamba nsalu ya ngalawa yakutsogolo, kuti athe kuwongolera ngalawayo n’kukaiimitsa kugombe. Kenako kutsogolo kwa ngalawayo kunatitimira, mwina pachimulu chamchenga kapena m’matope, ndipo inayamba kusweka kumbuyo chifukwa cha mafunde amphamvu amene ankaiwomba. Asilikali ena ankafuna kupha akaidiwo kuti asathawe, koma Yuliyo anawaletsa. Iye anauza anthuwo kuti asambire kapena akwere pazidutswa za ngalawayo mpaka kukafika kugombe. Zimene Paulo ananena zija zinachitikadi. Anthu onse okwana 276 anapulumuka ndipo “onse anafika kumtunda ali bwinobwino.” Koma kodi pa nthawiyi iwo anali ali kuti?​—Mac. 27:44.

“Kukoma Mtima Kwapadera” (Machitidwe 28:1-10)

18-20. Kodi anthu a ku Melita anasonyeza bwanji “kukoma mtima kwapadera,” nanga Mulungu anachita chinthu chodabwitsa chiti kudzera mwa Paulo?

¹⁸ Anthu amene anapulumukawo anapezeka ali pachilumba cha Melita, kum’mwera kwa Sisile. (Onani bokosi lakuti, “Kodi ku Melita Kunali Kuti?”) Anthu apachilumbacho, amene ankalankhula chilankhulo chachilendo, anawasonyeza “kukoma mtima kwapadera.” (Mac. 28:2) Iwo anawasonkhera moto alendowo, amene anafika atanyoweratu komanso akunjenjemera chifukwa chozizidwa. Motowo unawathandiza kuti amve kutenthera chifukwa kunkazizira komanso kunkagwa mvula. Koma kenako panachitika chinthu china chodabwitsa.

¹⁹ Paulo ankafuna kuthandiza nawo, choncho anatola nkhuni kuti aziike pamoto. Pamene ankaziponya pamotopo, munkhunimo munatuluka njoka ya mphiri yapoizoni ndipo inamuluma n’kukanirira kudzanja lake. Anthu apachilumbacho ankaganiza kuti chimenechi ndi chilango chochokera kwa milungu.a

²⁰ Anthu apachilumbapo amene anaona kuti Paulo walumidwa ndi njoka ankaganiza kuti iye “atupa.” Buku lina linafotokoza kuti mawu a chilankhulo choyambirira amene anagwiritsidwa ntchito palembali ndi “azachipatala.” N’zosadabwitsa kuti mawu amenewa ndi amene anabwera msanga m’maganizo mwa “Luka, dokotala wokondedwa.” (Mac. 28:6; Akol. 4:14) Koma Paulo anangoikutumulira pamoto njoka yapoizoniyo ndipo sinamuvulaze.

21. (a) Kodi munkhani ya m’Baibulo imeneyi muli zitsanzo ziti zosonyeza kuti Luka anafotokoza zinthu molondola? (b) Kodi Paulo anachita zinthu zodabwitsa ziti, nanga anthu a ku Melita anakhudzidwa bwanji?

²¹ M’deralo munkakhala munthu wina wolemera amene anali ndi malo, dzina lake Papuliyo. Mwina iyeyu anali msilikali wamkulu wa Aroma pachilumba cha Melita. Luka anafotokoza kuti Papuliyo anali “munthu woyang’anira chilumbacho.” Mawu onena za udindo amenewa ndi olondola ndipo anapezekanso m’zolembedwa zinazake ziwiri za ku Melita. Iye analandira bwino kwambiri Paulo ndi anzake aja ndipo anawachereza kwa masiku atatu. Koma bambo ake a Papuliyo ankadwala. Apanso Luka anafotokoza molondola kwambiri za matenda awo pogwiritsa ntchito mawu azachipatala. Iye analemba kuti bambowo “ankadwala malungo komanso kamwazi ndipo anali chigonere.” Paulo anapemphera n’kusanjika manja ake pa bambowo ndipo anachira. Anthu apachilumbacho anachita chidwi kwambiri ataona zimenezi ndipo anayamba kubweretsa odwala ena kuti adzachiritsidwe. Iwo anabweretsanso mphatso zoti zithandize Paulo ndi anzake aja pa ulendo wawo.​—Mac. 28:7-10.

22. (a) Kodi pulofesa wina ananena chiyani poyamikira zimene Luka analemba zokhudza ulendo wawo wopita ku Roma? (b) Kodi m’mutu wotsatira tikambirana chiyani?

²² Mbali ya ulendo wa Paulo imene takambirana kufika pano ikusonyeza kuti inalembedwa molondola kwambiri komanso nkhani zake ndi zoona. Pulofesa wina anati: “Nkhani imene Luka analemba . . . ndi imodzi mwa nkhani zofotokozedwa mwatsatanetsatane kwambiri m’Baibulo lonse. Iye anafotokoza molondola kwambiri zinthu zokhudzana ndi maulendo apanyanja a pa nthawiyo komanso mmene nyengo inkakhalira kum’mawa kwa nyanja ya Mediterranean,” moti ayenera kuti anagwiritsa ntchito zimene ankalemba yekha m’buku lake la zochitika za tsiku ndi tsiku. Mwina Luka ankalemba zimenezi pamene ankayenda ndi mtumwi Paulo pa ulendowu. Ngati zinalidi choncho, ndiye kuti iye anapeza zambiri zolemba pamene ankapitiriza ulendo wawo. Kodi Paulo anakumana ndi zotani atafika ku Roma? Tiyeni tione.

1. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo ndi anzake sankakayikira kuti akafika kumene akupita?

NGALAWA inayake yaikulu yomwe inali ndi chizindikiro cha “Ana a Zeu,” imene mwina inali itanyamula tirigu, inkayenda panyanja ya Mediterranean kuchokera pachilumba cha Melita kupita ku Italy. Chimenechi chinali chaka cha 59 C.E. M’ngalawamo munalinso Paulo, yemwe anali mkaidi ndipo ankaperekezedwa ndi asilikali komanso Akhristu ena awiri, Luka ndi Arisitako. (Mac. 27:2) Mosiyana ndi anthu ogwira ntchito m’ngalawamo, Paulo ndi Akhristu anzakewa sankakhulupirira kuti angatetezedwe ndi Ana a Zeu, mulungu wa Agiriki. Anawa mayina awo anali Kasita ndi Polakisi. (Mac. 28:11) Paulo ndi anzakewo ankatumikira Yehova, amene anauza Paulo kuti akachitira umboni za choonadi ku Roma komanso akaonekera pamaso pa Kaisara.​—Mac. 23:11; 27:24.

2, 3. Kodi ngalawa imene Paulo anakwera inayenda bwanji, nanga ndi ndani amene ankathandiza Paulo kungoyambira pachiyambi pa ulendo wake?

² Patatha masiku atatu ngalawayo itafika mumzinda wa Surakusa, inanyamuka kupita mumzinda wa Regio, womwe unali kum’mwera kwa dziko la Italy. Mzinda wa Surakusa unali ku Sisile ndipo unali wokongola kwambiri. Unalinso mzinda wofunika kwambiri, mofanana ndi mzinda wa Atene ndi wa Roma. Ngalawayo itachoka ku Regio, inathandizidwa ndi mphepo yochokera kum’mwera ndipo inathamanga kwambiri. Inayenda masiku awiri okha ulendo wa makilomita 320, kukafika kugombe la Potiyolo ku Italy (pafupi ndi kumene kuli mzinda wa Naples masiku ano).​—Mac. 28:12, 13.

³ Tsopano Paulo anali m’chigawo chomaliza cha ulendo wake wopita ku Roma, kumene ankayenera kukaonekera pamaso pa Mfumu Nero. Kuyambira pachiyambi mpaka pamapeto pa ulendowu, “Mulungu amene amatitonthoza pa vuto lililonse,” anali ndi Paulo. (2 Akor. 1:3) Monga momwe tionere, Mulungu sanasiye kumuthandiza Paulo ndipo iye anapitirizabe kulalikira mwakhama monga mmishonale.

“Paulo . . . Anathokoza Mulungu Ndipo Analimba Mtima” (Machitidwe 28:14, 15)

4, 5. (a) Kodi anthu a ku Potiyolo anachereza bwanji Paulo ndi anzake, ndipo n’chifukwa chiyani anapatsidwa ufulu wambiri choncho? (b) Kodi khalidwe labwino lingathandize bwanji Akhristu ngakhale pamene ali m’ndende?

⁴ Ku Potiyolo, Paulo ndi anzakewo ‘anapeza abale ndipo anawapempha kuti akhale nawo masiku 7.’ (Mac. 28:14) Abalewa anasonyeza chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri chochereza Akhristu anzawo. N’zosakayikitsa kuti iwo anadalitsidwa kwambiri chifukwa Paulo ndi anzake aja ayenera kuti anawalimbikitsa mwauzimu. Koma n’chifukwa chiyani mkaidi amene ankachita kuperekezedwa ndi asilikali anapatsidwa ufulu woti akacheze ndi Akhristu anzake? Mwina n’chifukwa chakuti asilikali a Chiromawo ankamukhulupirira mtumwiyu chifukwa cha zochita zake.

⁵ Mofanana ndi zimenezi, masiku ano atumiki ambiri a Yehova amene ali m’ndende zozunzirako anthu ndiponso m’ndende zina, nthawi zambiri amaloledwa kuchita zinthu zina zimene akaidi anzawo saloledwa. Iwo amaloledwa kuchita zimenezi chifukwa monga Akhristu amachita zinthu moona mtima komanso amakhala odalirika. Mwachitsanzo, ku Romania, mwamuna wina amene anamuweruza kuti akhale m’ndende zaka 75 chifukwa cha kuba, anayamba kuphunzira Mawu a Mulungu ndipo anasintha kwambiri khalidwe lake. Akuluakulu oyang’anira akaidi ataona zimenezi, anayamba kumamutuma m’tauni kukagula zinthu zofunikira pandendepo, popanda womuperekeza. Koma mfundo yofunika kwambiri ndi yakuti khalidwe lathu labwino limalemekeza Yehova.​—1 Pet. 2:12.

6, 7. Kodi abale a ku Roma anasonyeza bwanji chikondi m’njira yapadera?

⁶ Paulo ndi anzakewo atachoka ku Potiyolo, ayenera kuti anadutsa mu Msewu wa Apiyo wopita ku Roma, n’kuyenda makilomita pafupifupi 50 kukafika ku Capua. Msewu umenewu unali wotchuka ndipo unapangidwa ndi miyala ikuluikulu yafulati. Munthu akamayenda mumsewuwu ankatha kuona madera ambiri okongola a ku Italy ndipo m’malo ena ankathanso kuona nyanja ya Mediterranean. Msewuwu unkadutsanso padambo linalake lotchedwa Pontine, limene linali pamtunda wa makilomita pafupifupi 60 kuchokera ku Roma. Padambo limeneli ndi pamene panali Msika wa Apiyo. Luka analemba kuti abale a ku Roma ‘atamva za iwo,’ ena anayenda ulendo wautali kuchokera ku Roma n’kukawadikirira pa Msikawo ndipo ena anawadikirira pa Nyumba Zitatu za Alendo. Amenewa anali malo amene anthu apaulendo ankatha kupumapo ndipo anali pamtunda wa makilomita pafupifupi 50 kuchokera ku Roma. Abalewa anasonyezadi chikondi chachikulu.​—Mac. 28:15.

⁷ Msika wa Apiyo sunali malo abwino kwa munthu amene watopa ndipo akufuna kupuma atayenda ulendo wautali. Munthu wina wa Chiroma wolemba ndakatulo dzina lake Horace anafotokoza kuti malowa “ankadzaza ndi anthu oyenda panyanja komanso eniake a nyumba zogona alendo anali amwano.” Iye analembanso kuti “madzi akumeneko anali onunkha kwambiri,” ndipo anakana kudya chakudya chilichonse kumeneko. Ngakhale kuti malo amenewa sanali abwino, abale ochokera ku Roma aja anadikira Paulo ndi anzakewo mosangalala kuti ayende nawo limodzi mbali yomaliza ya ulendo wawo.

8. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo anathokoza Mulungu ‘atangoona abale ake’?

⁸ Nkhaniyi ikupitiriza kuti: “Paulo atawaona [abale akewo], anathokoza Mulungu ndipo analimba mtima.” (Mac. 28:15) Inde, Paulo analimba mtima atangoona abale ake okondedwawo, amene ena a iwo ankadziwana nawo bwino kwambiri. N’chifukwa chiyani iye anathokoza Mulungu? Chifukwa chakuti ankadziwa kuti chikondi chololera kuvutikira ena chimene abalewo anasonyeza, ndi limodzi mwa makhalidwe amene anthu amakhala nawo mothandizidwa ndi mzimu woyera. (Agal. 5:22) Masiku anonso mzimu woyera umathandiza Akhristu kuti azilolera kuvutikira abale awo komanso kuti azilimbikitsa ovutika.​—1 Ates. 5:11, 14.

9. Kodi tingasonyeze bwanji mtima wofanana ndi wa abale amene anachingamira Paulo?

⁹ Mwachitsanzo, mzimu woyera umachititsa kuti abale ndi alongo achereze oyang’anira dera, amishonale ndi ena amene akuchita utumiki wa nthawi zonse. Abale ndi alongo ambiri amene akuchita utumiki wa nthawi zonsewo alolera kudzimana zinthu zambiri kuti athe kutumikira Yehova mokwanira. Ndiyeno dzifunseni kuti: ‘Kodi ndingawonjezere zimene ndimachita pamene woyang’anira dera limodzi ndi mkazi wake, ngati ali wokwatira, akuchezera mpingo wathu? Kodi ndingamuitane kuti adzadye chakudya kunyumba kwathu? Kodi ndingapemphe kuti ndidzayende naye mu utumiki?’ Ngati mutachita zimenezi mungadalitsidwe kwambiri. Mwachitsanzo, tangoganizani mmene abale a ku Roma anasangalalira kumva Paulo ndi anzake akufotokoza zina mwa zinthu zosiyanasiyana zolimbikitsa zimene zinawachitikira.​—Mac. 15:3, 4.

“Amalinenera Zoipa Kwina Kulikonse” (Machitidwe 28:16-22)

10. Kodi Paulo anachita chiyani atangofika ku Roma ndipo ankakhala bwanji?

¹⁰ Gulu la anthu apaulendowo litafika ku Roma, “Paulo analoledwa kumakhala yekha ndi msilikali womulondera.” (Mac. 28:16) Nthawi zambiri akaidi osaopsa kwambiri ankawamangirira ndi unyolo kwa msilikali wowalondera kuti asathawe. Ngakhale kuti Paulo anamangidwa mwanjira imeneyi, iye anali mlaliki wa Ufumu ndipo unyolowo sunamulepheretse kulalikira. Choncho, iye atangopuma masiku atatu okha, anaitanitsa akuluakulu a Ayuda ku Roma kuti amudziwe komanso kuti awalalikire.

11, 12. Pamene ankalankhula ndi Ayuda anzake, kodi Paulo anatani kuti athetse maganizo alionse oipa amene iwo akanakhala nawo?

¹¹ Paulo ananena kuti: “Amuna inu, abale anga, ngakhale kuti sindinachite chilichonse chotsutsana ndi anthu kapena mwambo wa makolo athu, anandigwira ku Yerusalemu n’kundipereka m’manja mwa Aroma ngati mkaidi. Ndipo atafufuza, ankafuna kundimasula chifukwa sanandipeze ndi mlandu woyenera chilango cha imfa. Koma Ayuda anatsutsa zimenezo moti ndinakakamizika kupempha kudzaonekera kwa Kaisara. Komatu sikuti ndinachita zimenezi chifukwa choti ndinkafuna kudzaneneza mtundu wanga.”​—Mac. 28:17-19.

¹² Potchula Ayuda amene ankamumvetserawo kuti “abale anga,” Paulo ankafuna kuwasonyeza kuti panali zinthu zimene iye ankafanana nawo komanso ankafuna kuthetsa maganizo alionse oipa amene anthuwo akanakhala nawo okhudza iyeyo. (1 Akor. 9:20) Komanso iye anafotokoza momveka bwino kuti cholinga chake sichinali kuimba mlandu Ayuda anzakewo, koma kukaonekera pamaso pa Kaisara. Komabe, Ayuda a ku Romawo anali asanamve zoti Paulo akukaonekera kwa Kaisara. (Mac. 28:21) N’chifukwa chiyani Ayuda a ku Yudeya sanadziwitse Ayuda a ku Roma za nkhani imeneyi? Buku lina limanena kuti: “Ngalawa imene Paulo anakwera iyenera kuti inali imodzi mwa ngalawa zoyambirira kufika ku Italy pambuyo pa nyengo yozizira. Choncho nthumwi za akuluakulu a Ayuda ku Yerusalemu ziyenera kuti zinali zisanafike ndipo ngati analemba kalata, ndiye kuti inalinso isanafike.”

13, 14. Kodi Paulo anayamba bwanji kulalikira za Ufumu, nanga tingamutsanzire bwanji?

¹³ Tsopano Paulo anayamba kuwalalikira za Ufumu ponena mfundo imene iyenera kuti inachititsa chidwi kwambiri Ayuda amene ankamumvetserawo. Iye ananena kuti: “Pa chifukwa chimenechi, ndinapempha kuti ndidzaonane nanu n’kulankhula nanu, popeza ndamangidwa ndi unyolo uwu chifukwa cha chiyembekezo cha Aisiraeli.” (Mac. 28:20) Chiyembekezo chimene mpingo wa Chikhristu unkaphunzitsa chinali chokhudza Mesiya komanso Ufumu wake. Akuluakulu a Ayudawo anayankha kuti: “Komabe tikufuna kumva maganizo ako, chifukwa kunena zoona, ife tonse timadziwa kuti gulu lampatuko limeneli amalinenera zoipa kwina kulikonse.”​—Mac. 28:22.

¹⁴ Tikakhala ndi mpata wolalikira uthenga wabwino, tikhoza kutsanzira Paulo pogwiritsa ntchito mfundo kapena mafunso amene angachititse chidwi omvera athu. Tingathe kupeza mfundo zabwino kwambiri zotithandiza kuchita zimenezi m’mabuku monga Kukambitsirana za m’Malemba, Pindulani ndi Sukulu ya Utumiki wa Mulungu ndiponso Kuwerenga Komanso Kuphunzitsa Mwaluso. Kodi mumagwiritsira ntchito mfundo zabwino za m’mabuku amenewa?

Anatisiyira Chitsanzo Chabwino cha ‘Kuchitira Umboni Mokwanira’ (Machitidwe 28:23-29)

15. Kodi ndi zinthu 4 ziti zimene tingaphunzire tikaona mmene Paulo analalikirira?

¹⁵ Pa tsiku limene anagwirizana, Ayudawo “anabweradi ambiri” kunyumba kumene Paulo ankakhala. “Kuyambira m’mawa mpaka madzulo,” Paulo “anawafotokozera nkhani yonse ndipo anachitira umboni mokwanira za Ufumu wa Mulungu. Anachita zimenezi pogwiritsa ntchito mfundo zokopa zokhudza Yesu, kuchokera m’Chilamulo cha Mose ndi zimene aneneri analemba.” (Mac. 28:23) Pali zinthu 4 zimene tingaphunzire tikaona mmene Paulo analalikirira. Choyamba, iye anatsindika kwambiri za Ufumu wa Mulungu. Chachiwiri, iye anayesetsa kuwafika pamtima omvera ake pogwiritsira ntchito mfundo zokopa. Chachitatu, iye ankagwiritsira ntchito Malemba. Cha 4, anasonyeza mtima wodzipereka chifukwa analalikira “kuyambira m’mawa mpaka madzulo.” Paulo anatisiyiradi chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri. Kodi zotsatira za ulaliki wake zinali zotani? Luka ananena kuti “ena anayamba kukhulupirira,” koma ena sanakhulupirire. Kenako anthuwo anayamba kutsutsana ndipo “anayamba kuchoka.”​—Mac. 28:24, 25a.

16-18. N’chifukwa chiyani Paulo sanadabwe ataona kuti Ayuda a ku Roma sanasangalale ndi uthenga wake, nanga tiyenera kumva bwanji anthu akakana uthenga wathu?

¹⁶ Zimenezi sizinali zodabwitsa kwa Paulo chifukwa zinali zogwirizana ndi ulosi wa m’Baibulo. Komanso zinali zofanana ndi zimene zinkachitika nthawi zambiri Paulo akamalalikira. (Mac. 13:42-47; 18:5, 6; 19:8, 9) Choncho pamene anthuwo ankachoka chifukwa chosasangalatsidwa ndi zimene Paulo ankanena, iye anawauza kuti: “Mzimu woyera unanena zoona kwa makolo anu kudzera mwa Yesaya mneneri. Mzimuwo unati, ‘Pita ukauze anthu awa kuti: “Kumva mudzamva ndithu, koma simudzazindikira. Kuyang’ana mudzayang’ana ndithu, koma simudzaona chilichonse. Chifukwa anthu awa aumitsa mitima yawo.”’” (Mac. 28:25b-27) Mawu oyambirira amene anawamasulira kuti “aumitsa mtima” ankatanthauza mtima umene ndi wokhuthala kapena wonenepa kwambiri, moti uthenga wa Ufumu sungathe kulowa mkati mwake. (Mac. 28:27) Zimenezi zinali zoopsa kwambiri.

¹⁷ Pomaliza, Paulo anawauza kuti mosiyana ndi Ayudawo, “anthu a mitundu ina . . . adzamvetsera.” (Mac. 28:28; Sal. 67:2; Yes. 11:10) Mtumwiyu sankakayikira zimenezi ngakhale pang’ono chifukwa anali ataona anthu ambiri a mitundu ina akumvetsera uthenga wa Ufumu.​—Mac. 13:48; 14:27.

¹⁸ Mofanana ndi Paulo, tisamakhumudwe anthu akakana kumvetsera uthenga wabwino. Ndipotu tikudziwa kuti ndi anthu ochepa okha amene adzapeze njira yopita kumoyo. (Mat. 7:13, 14) Koma anthu a maganizo abwino akatimvetsera n’kuyamba kulambira nafe limodzi, tiyenera kusangalala ndipo tiziwalandira ndi manja awiri.​—Luka 15:7.

‘Ankalalikira za Ufumu wa Mulungu’ (Machitidwe 28:30, 31)

19. Kodi Paulo anagwiritsa ntchito bwanji nthawi imene anali mkaidi ku Roma?

¹⁹ Luka anamaliza nkhani yake ndi mawu abwino kwambiri onena za Paulo. Iye anati: “Paulo anakhalabe kwa zaka ziwiri zathunthu m’nyumba yomwe ankapanga lendi, ndipo anthu onse omwe ankabwera kudzamuona ankawalandira ndi manja awiri. Ankawalalikira za Ufumu wa Mulungu komanso kuwaphunzitsa za Ambuye Yesu Khristu, ndi ufulu wonse wa kulankhula popanda choletsa.” (Mac. 28:30, 31) Zoonadi, Paulo ndi chitsanzo chabwino kwambiri cha munthu wodziwa kuchereza alendo, wa chikhulupiriro cholimba ndiponso wodzipereka pa utumiki.

20, 21. Tchulani zitsanzo za anthu ena amene anapindula ndi utumiki wa Paulo ali ku Roma.

²⁰ Munthu mmodzi amene Paulo anamulandira ndi manja awiri anali Onesimo, kapolo amene anathawa kwa mbuye wake ku Kolose. Paulo anathandiza Onesimo kukhala Mkhristu, ndipo Onesimoyo anakhala ngati “m’bale [wa Paulo] wokhulupirika ndi wokondedwa.” Paulo anafotokoza kuti Onesimo anali ‘mwana wake’ ndipo iyeyo ‘anakhala bambo ake.’ (Akol. 4:9; Filim. 10-12) Zikuoneka kuti Onesimo analimbikitsa kwambiri Paulo.a

²¹ Anthu enanso anapindula chifukwa cha chitsanzo chabwino cha Paulo. Iye analembera Afilipi kuti: “Zimene zandichitikira, zathandiza kuti uthenga wabwino ufalikire. Chifukwa Asilikali Oteteza Mfumu ndi ena onse amva kuti ndamangidwa chifukwa cha Khristu. Ndipo abale ambiri amene akutumikira Ambuye alimba mtima chifukwa cha kumangidwa kwanga, komanso akupitiriza kusonyeza kulimba mtima polankhula mawu a Mulungu mopanda mantha.”​—Afil. 1:12-14.

22. N’chifukwa chiyani tinganene kuti Paulo anagwiritsa ntchito bwino nthawi yake pamene anali mkaidi ku Roma?

²² Paulo anagwiritsa bwino ntchito nthawi imene anali mkaidi ku Roma kulemba makalata ofunika kwambiri amene masiku ano ndi mbali ya Malemba a Chigiriki.b Makalata amenewo anathandiza Akhristu a m’nthawi ya atumwi amene anawalembera makalatawo. Ifenso tingapindule ndi makalata a Paulo chifukwa malangizo ouziridwa amene analembawo ndi othandizanso masiku ano.​—2 Tim. 3:16, 17.

23, 24. Mofanana ndi Paulo, kodi Akhristu ena masiku ano asonyeza bwanji kuti amakhalabe osangalala pamene atsekeredwa m’ndende chifukwa cha chikhulupiriro chawo?

²³ Pa nthawi imene Paulo ankamasulidwa, yomwe sinatchulidwe m’buku la Machitidwe, iye anali atakhala mkaidi kwa zaka 4. Ku Kaisareya anakhala mkaidi zaka ziwiri ndipo ku Roma anakhalanso zaka ziwiri.c (Mac. 23:35; 24:27) Koma iye anakhalabe wosangalala ndipo anapitiriza kutumikira Mulungu mwakhama. Mofanana ndi Paulo, atumiki a Yehova ambiri masiku ano amakhalabe osangalala ndipo amapitirizabe kulalikira ngakhale atatsekeredwa m’ndende chifukwa cha chikhulupiriro chawo. Taganizirani chitsanzo cha Mkhristu wina dzina lake Adolfo amene anamutsekera m’ndende ku Spain chifukwa chokana kulowa usilikali. Msilikali wina anauza Adolfo kuti: “Umatichititsa chidwi kwambiri. Tayesetsa kuti moyo wakundende kuno uumve kuwawa, koma tikamakuzunza kwambiri m’pamenenso umamwetulira kwambiri ndipo umatilankhulabe mwaulemu.”

²⁴ Patapita nthawi, asilikali anayamba kumukhulupirira kwambiri Adolfo moti sankatseka chitseko cha chipinda chake cha m’ndende. Nthawi zina asilikali ankapita kwa Adolfo kukamufunsa nkhani za m’Baibulo. Ndipo msilikali wina amene ankalondera Adolfo ankalowa m’chipinda cha m’baleyu kukawerenga Baibulo. Pa nthawiyi Adolfo ndi amene ankalondera msilikaliyo kuti asilikali anzake asamuone. Zitsanzo zabwino ngati zimenezi za a Mboni okhulupirika zizitithandiza kuti nafenso tizisonyeza “kulimba mtima polankhula mawu a Mulungu mopanda mantha,” ngakhale pamene zinthu zavuta kwambiri.

25, 26. Zaka 30 zisanathe, kodi Paulo anaona ulosi wochititsa chidwi uti ukukwaniritsidwa, nanga zimenezi zikufanana bwanji ndi zimene zikuchitika masiku ano?

²⁵ Buku lochititsa chidwi la Machitidwe likumaliza ndi mfundo yolimbikitsa kwambiri yakuti, mtumwi wa Khristu ameneyu anapitiriza ‘kulalikira za Ufumu wa Mulungu’ kwa onse amene ankabwera kudzamuona pamene anali mkaidi wosachoka panyumba. M’chaputala choyamba cha buku la Machitidwe, tinawerenga za ntchito imene Yesu anapatsa otsatira ake pamene anawauza kuti: “Mukadzalandira mzimu woyera, mudzakhala ndi mphamvu. Ndipo mudzakhala mboni zanga mu Yerusalemu, ku Yudeya konse ndi ku Samariya, mpaka kumalekezero a dziko lapansi.” (Mac. 1:8) Ndiye zaka 30 zisanathe, uthenga wa Ufumu unali ‘utalalikidwa padziko lonse.’d (Akol. 1:23) Umenewu unali umboni wosonyeza kuti mzimu wa Mulungu ndi wamphamvu.​—Zek. 4:6.

²⁶ Masiku ano, mzimu wa Mulungu ukuthandizanso abale a Khristu amene adakali padziko lapansi, limodzi ndi anzawo a “nkhosa zina” kuti apitirizebe ‘kuchitira umboni mokwanira za Ufumu wa Mulungu’ m’mayiko oposa 240. (Yoh. 10:16; Mac. 28:23) Kodi inuyo mukugwira nawo mokwanira ntchito imeneyi?