1 After reaching land safely, we learned that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. Because it was rainy and cold, they built a fire and welcomed all of us. 3 Paul gathered a bunch of dry sticks and put them on the fire. As he did, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, latched on to his hand. 4 When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, “This man must be a murderer! He was rescued from the sea, but the goddess Justice hasn’t let him live!” 5 Paul shook the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They expected him to swell up with fever or suddenly drop dead. After waiting a long time and seeing nothing unusual happen to him, they changed their minds and began to claim that he was a god.
7 Publius, the island’s most prominent person, owned a large estate in that area. He welcomed us warmly into his home as his guests for three days. 8 Publius’ father was bedridden, sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went to see him and prayed. He placed his hand on him and healed him. 9 Once this happened, the rest of the sick on the island came to him and were healed. 10 They honored us in many ways. When we were getting ready to sail again, they supplied us with what we needed.
Reflection
A perhaps interesting introduction to Paul’s final recorded biblical voyage in 59 and 60 AD. The ship that Paul was on encountered heavy headwinds and sought shelter on the southern coast of Crete. Paul warned of possible disaster, but the centurion and crew attempted to reach Phoenicia but were swept away by a violent typhoon. Landing on a tiny island south of Crete called Clauda (known today as Gavdos) gave the crew a chance to undergird the vessel with ropes before being driven across the Mediterranean to Malta, the site of his final shipwreck. The ship hit a reef while heading toward the shore. The centurion wanted to save Paul’s life and ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for land and those who could not to take pieces of wood from the ship, which was being broken up by the force of the waves. Acts 27:44 reports that all were brought to safety.
Early church history, and Maltese tradition, offer details of their subsequent lives.
Publius, according to longstanding tradition, converted to Christianity, was baptized by Paul, and became the first Bishop of Malta. It is said he led the church there for roughly 30 years before serving as the Bishop of Athens. Tradition holds that he remained a devout leader until he was martyred around AD 125 by being fed to lions during the persecutions of Emperor Hadrian.
Historically, the people of Malta successfully maintained the Christian faith seeded by Paul and became a prominent early Christian society in the Mediterranean. Today around 89% of the population identifies is Christian and 83% Roman Catholic.
by Clarence Beverage
For Pondering and Prayer
I suspect that each of us will be touched by the Spirit, in a different way, as we read and reflect on this piece of scripture. What impacted me most is that when Paul went to see Publius, he met him, made human connection, felt empathy, prayed, and then healed him.
That simple process gave faith to others in need, who then also were healed.
Prayer: Holy Lord, thank You for the example of Paul’s faith and compassion on the island of Malta. Just as he prayed and laid hands on the sick, we ask that You would guide us to minister to those in need. Whether through fervent prayer, acts of service, or words of comfort, use us as a channel of Your healing grace. In Jesus name, Amen.
