3. Paul on Malta
Paul did not have it easy as an apostle. A good reminder to us that being faithful disciples of Jesus does not promise having an easy life. To set the scene for this post, in Acts 27 Paul is sailing to Rome. He had been arrested on false charges, but as a Roman citizen, he appealed to Caesar. As they are sailing, a storm comes up and they are shipwrecked. They miraculously make it to Malta. From the wording, Luke is on the ship with Paul and now on Malta “Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta.” Luke goes on to tell us that the islanders showed us unusual kindness. Skipping to verses 7-10 say “ 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. 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.”
So here we find an interesting twist. Paul and his fellow shipmates are now on the shores of Malta. The islanders as Luke calls them showed them “unusual kindness”. They were shown generous hospitality for three days. The host’s father was in the house sick in bed. Paul now shows kindness (dare we call it hospitality?) and prays for him and he is healed. Paul then helped heal all the sick people on the island.
Then when it’s time for them to continue on to Rome, Paul and company were furnished with the supplies they would need for the journey.
Now we know The Holy Spirit had a hand in all that happened, but what if the islanders rejected the visitors or attacked them? Nothing good of course. The people with Paul might have been killed along with Paul and Luke. They might have had to fight and kill islanders to survive. What about the sick people that Paul helps heal? Nothing good would have come out of this alternate story. But of course none of that happens, only good things, kindness, hospitality, respect, friendship maybe.
I know there are many people that live on shorelines of lakes or oceans or banks of rivers. For you, it’s possible to have someone suddenly appear from the water in need of aid. For those of us that live inland, what about someone we pass on the road? A breakdown, accident, medical issue. Can we not render aid? Do what we can to help? Sometimes making a call to 911 is all we can do. Other times may require more direct action. If you happen to be a first responder, your training might allow you to be able to do more than the average person. A doctor or nurse could assess and render immediate first aid to someone in need. I remember a Sunday when we had a substitute pianist at church. She finished playing a piece during the offering and when she finished, she dropped to the floor. We had at least one doctor and a few nurses at her side in seconds. EMS came and got her to the hospital but she was almost certainly dead when she hit the floor. Sometimes we can give aid and we’re not successful. Don’t ever think that any chance you could help someone out is useless.
I pray that the next time we are in a situation to show hospitality and render assistance, we don’t hesitate. Go make a difference in someone’s life.
