God Speaks
Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us.
3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god.
7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honors, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.
11 It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.
15 The brothers and sisters in Rome had heard we were coming, and they came to meet us at the Forum on the Appian Way. Others joined us at The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
16 When we arrived in Rome, Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier.
17 Three days after Paul’s arrival, he called together the local Jewish leaders. He said to them, “Brothers, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Roman government, even though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors. 18 The Romans tried me and wanted to release me, because they found no cause for the death sentence. 19 But when the Jewish leaders protested the decision, I felt it necessary to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no desire to press charges against my own people. 20 I asked you to come here today so we could get acquainted and so I could explain to you that I am bound with this chain because I believe that the hope of Israel—the Messiah—has already come.”
21 They replied, “We have had no letters from Judea or reports against you from anyone who has come here. 22 But we want to hear what you believe, for the only thing we know about this movement is that it is denounced everywhere.”
23 So a time was set, and on that day a large number of people came to Paul’s lodging. He explained and testified about the Kingdom of God and tried to persuade them about Jesus from the Scriptures. Using the law of Moses and the books of the prophets, he spoke to them from morning until evening. 24 Some were persuaded by the things he said, but others did not believe. 25 And after they had argued back and forth among themselves, they left with this final word from Paul: “The Holy Spirit was right when he said to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet,
26 ‘Go and say to this people:
When you hear what I say,
you will not understand.
When you see what I do,
you will not comprehend.
27 For the hearts of these people are hardened,
and their ears cannot hear,
and they have closed their eyes—
so their eyes cannot see,
and their ears cannot hear,
and their hearts cannot understand,
and they cannot turn to me
and let me heal them.’
28 So I want you to know that this salvation from God has also been offered to the Gentiles, and they will accept it.”
30 For the next two years, Paul lived in Rome at his own expense. He welcomed all who visited him, 31 boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.
Source: New Living Translation: BibleGateway.com
We Respond
Reflection: After the shipwreck recorded in Acts 27, all on board the severely damaged ship made it safely ashore on the island of Malta, where they received a warm welcome. Immediately, there was a display of the power of God over nature (and possibly over demonic influence as well) with Paul being protected from the effects of a snakebite. Paul returned the favor of the warm welcome by praying for and facilitating the healing of Publius’ father. Many other people were also healed. This resulted in further assistance for the travelers. They sailed along the coastline, and when they finally arrived in the area of Rome, they were greeted by fellow believers. Paul had a measure of freedom while being guarded by a soldier. He explained to local Christian leaders why he was there and the charges against him. These leaders had only heard rumors about Paul and wanted to hear him for themselves. When Paul finished explaining about Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God from the scriptures, some believed, and some did not. Paul referred to Isaiah 6:8-10 in rebuking those who did not. Because of this, he announced that he was taking God’s gift of salvation to the Gentiles, who were open to it. Paul lived in a rented house (under guard) for two years, “boldly proclaiming the Kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him.” (Acts 28:31 NLT)
Prayer: Dear God who directs His servants, please show Your people where they are to go and how to serve You there. May people we have never met before show great kindness to believers and vice versa like the residents of Malta and Publius did with the Apostle Paul and Doctor Luke. Please protect Your servants from all kinds of harm, especially misconceptions and misinterpretations of the truth. In the midst of ever-changing circumstances, may we, like Paul, thank God and take courage when we meet with other believers. May even leaders of the opposition be open to hear what God’s people have to say. May many of those who hear about the Kingdom of God truly believe. May those who disagree leave quietly and not cause trouble. May all believers everywhere continue to proclaim the Kingdom of God and teach about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance! AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
- I will search out the facts and try not to jump to wrong conclusions like the residents of Malta did with Paul and the snakebite.
- I will strive to live in the power of the Holy Spirit so that He is free to use me in healing people and any other miracles He might choose.
- I will take courage from God Himself and encourage [give courage to] other believers.
- I will refuse to believe rumors but investigate things for myself, consulting the scriptures and discussing them with the Lord.
- I will regularly pray Acts 28:31 for all believers in Christ (especially those involved in serving the LORD on a professional or volunteer basis).
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.