“Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.”
Acts 28:1 NIV
“Malta is an island country in Southern Europe located in the central Mediterranean Sea. It lies about 80 kilometers south of the Italian island of Sicily, 284 kilometers east of Tunisia, and 333 kilometers north of Libya. (Source: Google AI)
Another chapter began in this saga of what was supposed to be a quick voyage across the Mediterranean! Not only were the weary travellers drenched from their dip in the sea but they were greeted on this isolated bit of land in the middle of the ocean by drenching rain…
And what of the island’s inhabitants? Were they friendly or hostile? These cold, wet, hungry, and defenceless travellers were at the mercy of the islanders.
Where was God in this new crisis?
Let’s read on.
“The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold.”
Acts 28:2 NIV
Phew! What a relief! The islanders were friendly and helpful. They started a huge bonfire to dry the shivering men. Paul set about gathering wood to add to the fire. Unfortunately for him, he disturbed a viper which fastened itself onto his hand. The islanders watch in horror as the snake dangled from his hand, pumping venom into him. Of course, their superstitious minds demanded an answer. Paul must be a criminal on his way to Rome to be tried.
“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, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live.”
Acts 28:4 NIV
Paul was unfazed. He had a word to stand on. Jesus had spoken…
“…they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
Mark 16:18 NIV
So, despite their harrowing circumstances, Paul used every opportunity to glorify Jesus in the course of his day. Snake! No problem! Shake it off as just a nuisance.
“But Paul 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.”
Acts 28:5-6 NIV
Strike one for Paul…the devil…nil!
“There was an estate nearby that belonged to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us to his home and showed us generous hospitality for three days…”
This little miracle opened the door to more kindness and help…
Who were the “us”? Luke always wrote “us” when he was part of the people who accompanied Paul. Perhaps here he was referring to the small group who were with Paul as he traveled to Rome and not the entire 276 people who were shipwrecked.
“His father was sick in bed, suffering from fever and dysentery. Paul went in to see him and, after prayer, 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 us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.”
Acts 28:7-10 NIV
…and then, the floodgates opened when God intervened. He organised a healing campaign that brought out the red carpet for the travellers. By the time they were ready to leave on the next ship at anchor after the winter, they were celebrities and fully supplied for the final leg of their journey.
The sequel to this disaster illustrates again the goodness of God and the fulfilment of God’s promises…He works in all things for the good…
Imagine the memories these 276 shipwrecked men carried with them to Rome. Their voyage had been anything but routine, uneventful, tedious or boring…an interlude of monumental miracles revealing the God who was up to any crisis along the way.
To be continued