SCRIPTURE: ACTS 28
ASHORE ON MALTA (vs. 1-10)
They arrived safely on the islands called Malta. The islanders shoed them unusual kindness. Since it was raining and cold, they built a fire and welcomed them. Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer for though he escaped from the sea, justice has not allowed him to live.” (v. 4) But Pail shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. The people expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but after waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.
Publius, the chief official of the island welcome them to his home and entertained them hospitably for three days. His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after praying, placed his hands on him and healed him. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. They honored them in many ways ands when they were ready to sail, they furnished them with the supplies they needed.
ARRIVAL AT ROME (vs. 11-16)
After 3 months, they sailed on an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux and stayed three days at Syracuse. From there, they set sail and arrived at Rhegium. On the following day, they reached Puteoli and found some brothers who invited them to spend a week with them. Then they came to Rome. When the brothers there heard that they were coming, they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet them. Paul was encouraged and thank god. Upon arrival at Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with a soldier to guard him.
PAUL PREACHES AT ROME UNDER GUARD (vs. 17-31)
Three days later, the leaders of the Jews assembled and Paul said to them:
“My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. But when the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar – not that I had any charge to bring against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain.”
They replied, “We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of the brothers who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect.”
(vs. 21-22)
They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement:
“The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the Prophet: “Go to this people and say, You will be ever hearing but never understanding, you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.” Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (vs 25-28)
For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
THOUGHTS:
God has promised safe passage to Paul. The poisonous snake that bit Paul was unable to harm him. Our life is in God’s hands. When the people saw that Paul was unhurt by the poisonous snake. they thought he was a god.
Paul continued to minister to others, even he was a shipwrecked prisoner. The Roman army officer, the chief official of Malta and many others were able to hear the Good News that he preached. God had blessed him greatly in allowing him to meet the believers in Rome and preach the message to both Jews and Gentiles. You can trust God to do the same for you. God may not make you comfortable or secure, but He will provide the opportunity to do his work.