The news of Alexei Navalny’s death is terribly shocking, unsurprising and extremely stimulating.
The 47-year-old lawyer, activist and opposition leader who posed the greatest political threat to the president Vladimir Poutine ahead of the upcoming Russian general elections, was declared dead on Friday.
The reluctance of Russian authorities to allow his family to view his body appears to confirm that his death was not due to natural causes.
Navalny saw Jesus’ instructions not only as a future promise, but also as a very present call to action.
The outspoken critic previously survived an assassination attempt in 2020 when he was poisoned with the nerve agent Novichok. After receiving treatment in Germany, he returned to Russia to continue his work exposing corruption in the Russian government.
He was immediately arrested, charged and sentenced to 19 years in prison in a penal colony north of the Arctic Circle. On February 15, he was seen in a video joking about his legal and financial situation. The next day he was dead.
A thirst for justice
As the world’s attention turns to this man, it has been revealed that he not only speaks openly and courageously about politics, but also about his faith.
At his trial in 2021, he said: “The fact is that I am a Christian… I myself was once a militant atheist… But now I am a believer, and that helps me a lot in my activities… There is fewer dilemmas around me. life, because there is a book in which, in general, it is written more or less clearly what action to take in each situation.
“It’s not always easy to follow this book, of course, but I do try. And so, like I said, it’s probably easier for me than a lot of other people to get involved in politics.”
Navalny often quoted verses from Jesus Sermon on the Mount, in particular: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). “I always thought that this particular command was more or less an activity instruction,” Navalny commented.
Called to action
Since news of his death broke, I have been thinking about Navalny’s words. He saw Jesus’ instructions not only as a promise to be fulfilled in the future, but as a very present call to action. This motivated him not only to express himself For justice, but to denounce Injustice. This gave him the courage to risk his life for the sake of others.
Her hunger and thirst for justice was not just spiritual, but literal – sometimes choosing a hunger strike to get the world’s attention, sometimes being starved as punishment in prison. Regardless, he remained determined to bring about change in his country’s political system.
I used to be a pretty militant atheist but now I’m a believer, and that helps me a lot
In my own attempts to advocate for children in care And refugees and to promote integrity in politics, I get easily frustrated and exhausted. My challenges are mild and momentary compared to Navalny’s, but hearing about his incredible courage and sacrificial service in the face of such intense and cruel opposition inspired me once again.
Speak
If Navalny can maintain his faith, continue to seek justice, and inspire others to follow the teaching of Jesus even though he is imprisoned, tortured, and even murdered, perhaps we should all reconsider how we use freedoms and the opportunities we have.
Perhaps we should also speak out in cases of misuse of public funds, inappropriate influence of the media, hoarding of wealth by a minority or fight against addictions to money, sex and power.
Can we do more to advocate for the interests of the marginalized and ensure that those in power work to benefit those who need it most? How can we advocate for fair elections and hold our leaders accountable, demanding that those who lead do so with integrity and compassion?
Navalny’s life, death and faith lead us to ask: What can we do, in the name of Jesus and with the help of the Bible, to pursue righteousness and justice today?
