Paul on the Island of Malta
Acts 28
1When we were safe on land, we learned that the island was called Malta.
2The people who lived there were very good to us. Because it was raining and
very cold, they made a fire and welcomed all of us. 3Paul gathered a pile of sticks
and was putting them on the fire when a poisonous snake came out because of
the heat and bit him on the hand. 4The people living on the island saw the snake
hanging from Paul’s hand and said to each other, “This man must be a murderer!
He did not die in the sea, but Justice does not want him to live.” 5But Paul
shook the snake off into the fire and was not hurt. 6The people thought that Paul
would swell up or fall down dead. They waited and watched him for a long time,
but nothing bad happened to him. So they changed their minds and said, “He is a
god!”
7There were some fields around there owned by Publius, an important man on
the island. He welcomed us into his home and was very good to us for three days.
8Publius’ father was sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to him, prayed,
and put his hands on the man and healed him. 9After this, all the other sick people
on the island came to Paul, and he healed them, too. 10-11The people on the island
gave us many honors. When we were ready to leave, three months later, they
gave us the things we needed.
Paul Goes to Rome
We got on a ship from Alexandria that had stayed on the island during the
winter. On the front of the ship was the sign of the twin gods. 12We stopped at
Syracuse for three days. 13From there we sailed to Rhegium. The next day a wind
began to blow from the south, and a day later we came to Puteoli. 14We found
some believers there who asked us to stay with them for a week. Finally, we
came to Rome. 15The believers in Rome heard that we were there and came out
as far as the Market of Appius and the Three Inns to meet us. When Paul saw
them, he was encouraged and thanked God.
Paul in Rome
16When we arrived at Rome, Paul was allowed to live alone, with the soldier
who guarded him.
17Three days later Paul sent for the Jewish leaders there. When they came
together, he said, “Brothers, I have done nothing against our people or the
customs of our ancestors. But I was arrested in Jerusalem and given to the
Romans. 18After they asked me many questions, they could find no reason why I
should be killed. They wanted to let me go free, 19but the Jewish people there
argued against that. So I had to ask to come to Rome to have my trial before
Caesar. But I have no charge to bring against my own people. 20That is why I
wanted to see you and talk with you. I am bound with this chain because I
believe in the hope of Israel.”
21They answered Paul, “We have received no letters from Judea about you.
None of our Jewish brothers who have come from there brought news or told us
anything bad about you. 22But we want to hear your ideas, because we know that
people everywhere are speaking against this religious group.”
23Paul and the Jewish people chose a day for a meeting and on that day many
more of the Jews met with Paul at the place he was staying. He spoke to them all
day long. Using the law of Moses and the prophets’ writings, he explained the
kingdom of God, and he tried to persuade them to believe these things about
Jesus. 24Some believed what Paul said, but others did not. 25So they argued and
began leaving after Paul said one more thing to them: “The Holy Spirit spoke the
truth to your ancestors through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
26‘Go to this people and say:
You will listen and listen, but you will not understand.
You will look and look, but you will not learn,
27because these people have become stubborn.
They don’t hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise, they might really understand
what they see with their eyes
and hear with their ears.
They might really understand in their minds
and come back to me and be healed.’
Isaiah 6:9-10
28“I want you to know that God has also sent his salvation to those who are
not Jewish, and they will listen!”
30Paul stayed two full years in his own rented house and welcomed all people
who came to visit him. 31He boldly preached about the kingdom of God and
taught about the Lord Jesus Christ, and no one tried to stop him.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version
SITUATION
Paul, Luke, and the others survived the crash. Paul arrived in Rome and attempted to bring the message of Jesus to the Jewish community in Rome, but they rejected the message.
OBSERVATION
The message of God is meant for all people. It cannot be limited by race or culture.
INSPIRATION
There, then, is the watchword of those men of the New Testament and the secret of their amazing, indomitable vitality-never "we are able,” but always "He is able." God is able! Christ is able! Able to succour the tempted, able to save to the uttermost, able to support and keep you from failing, able to subdue all things to Himself, able to secure you in deaths decisive hour, able to surpass your dreams of immortality. All this is yours and mine, if we are Christ’s.... Why should we not believe it and confide in it, and lift up our hearts to its splendor...Come, and let us walk in the light of the Lord! (From The Wind of the Spirit by James Stewart)
APPLICATION
Give thanks to God for the sacrifice of the early Christians who spread the Good News from Judea. Learn a little bit more this month about someone who helped pass on the gospel throughout the centuries - Augustine, Luther, Wesley, Carey, or Zinzendorf for starters.
EXPLORATION
Good News for Everyone - Isaiah 40:28; John 3:31-35; Philippians 2:5-11; Titus 2:11-12; Revelation 14:6.
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