Scripture: After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
Acts 28:1-10 ESV [Click here to read the entire chapter.]
Observation: Recapping Yesterday’s Daily Focus, ignoring Paul’s warning, the crew sails toward Phoenix and, indeed, encounters a severe storm that drives the ship to the shore of Malta over the next two weeks. Amid the storm, an angel of the Lord reveals to Paul all that would unfold with the assurance that he would appear before Caesar and that all the crew would survive. The last night before the ship foundered on a Malta sandbar, Paul, confident in his Lord’s protection, reminded the crew that everyone would survive and urged them to eat to gain strength since they had gone without food for fourteen days. So Paul broke bread in the presence of all, gave thanks to God, and passed the bread around—encouraging everyone. Once satiated, they cast the wheat overboard to lighten the ship. Then, deciding to beach the vessel on the shore, the crew raised its foresail to catch the wind but were driven onto a sandbar. With the waves crashing against the stern and slowly demolishing the ship, they swam or paddled to safety on Malta’s beach.
Today’s reading picks up with landfall on Malta. Luke tells us the natives brought the crew to safety, showing them extraordinary kindness—welcoming them with a warm fire to alleviate the frigid, rainy weather. As Paul gathered sticks and placed them on the fire, a viper latched onto his hand. Unconcerned, Paul shook off the snake into the fire. Seeing all that unfolded, the locals supposed Paul to be a murderer in whom Justice had prevailed. But when Paul remained unharmed, they flipped to supposing Paul to be a god.
Hearing the news, Publius, the island’s governor, extended hospitality to Paul, Luke, and Aristarchus in his home for three days. During their stay, Publius’ father developed a fever and dysentery, so Paul prayed, laid his hands on him, and healed him. Consequently, the news spread quickly, and all those inflicted with diseases sought Paul for their healing. Lastly, grateful for all the blessings flowing through Paul, they honored the three and gifted them with whatever supplies they needed for the remaining journey to Italy (bringing the cache on board the ship).
Takeaway: The implication of Paul healing Publius’ father and the others is that the Lord worked through Paul’s faith to heal. For all the extraordinary courage, faith, insights, and miraculous healings Paul exhibited on this last journey (and throughout his previous missions), he understood the source of his pluck and power: Christ in him. And to ensure others understood this, Paul intentionally thanked God, prayed aloud, and laid hands on his supplicants. Even shaking the viper into the fire with no fanfare revealed godlike qualities of faith and humility (granted, the natives initially mistook Paul as a god).
Speaking of the natives, similar to (but in the opposite direction to) the Jews who welcomed Jesus into Jerusalem and then cursed him out of Jerusalem the same week, we see yet another example of how fickle we humans can be. Supposing Paul to be a murderer, they revise their thinking to assume he is a god. Still, unruffled by either assumption, Paul focuses on serving their diseased, as did his Lord. Resultantly, they honored these workers of Christ and supplied them for the next leg of the journey.
Our takeaway? There are two. First, from the perspective of how God calls us to serve others, like Paul, we must reveal to those we serve the source of our pluck and power. Without contriving a show of our faith, we commune with God throughout our day and thus naturally express thanksgiving, sometimes pray aloud, and often encourage people according to their needs as the Holy Spirit leads. We do this not to show off our spirituality but to make much of the Father and Son so that others may discover the joy of their salvation.
Secondly, from the perspective of how God calls us to support those who serve us and others, like the Malta natives, we find ways to honor them, whether by speaking words of encouragement, praying for them, or providing the supplies they need. Regarding supplies, more often in today’s world, this means providing financial support. Along those lines, I am very grateful to God for each of you who support me and my ministry in these three ways. Indeed, the blessings keep flowing as I serve the least, the last, and the lost through your ongoing support.
Prayer: Father God, we thank you for your Son, who faithfully and humbly served you, his disciples, and the crowds you drew to him. And we thank you for all the ways his blessings have flowed through Paul and future generations to us. So would you please help us cooperate with your Holy Spirit to pay it forward by serving and supporting those who serve you through our prayers, words of encouragement, and gifts so that we might make much of your name and grow your kingdom? Amen.
Rev. Gordon Green, M.Div., M.A. Counseling
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