After reaching land safely, we learned that the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us extraordinary kindness. Because it was rainy and cold, they built a fire and welcomed all of us. 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. 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!” Paul shook the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. 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. 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. 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. Once this happened, the rest of the sick on the island came to him and were healed. They honored us in many ways. When we were getting ready to sail again, they supplied us with what we needed. (Acts 28:1-10, CEB)
When the ship made it to land, those who lived there showed great kindness to Paul and his companions.
Paul and all those on the ship survived the waters, but then Paul was bitten by a poisonous snake, but he was not harmed so the islanders thought he was a God. And when he had healed many people they helped them when they were ready to leave.
It is interesting to me they didn’t try to make him stay, or that there is anything written about how Paul reacted to this treatment. We assume Paul would have told them it is not I but God that does this miraculous work.
How would have you handled the treatment if you were Paul, or in Paul’s place?
Would we seek the limelight? Or would we give that to God?
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 