Malta

I learn so much of God’s ways by raising children. There’s still a long way to go, but I least get a better glimpse of my relationship with God. We’re looking at Acts 28 today, where Paul finds himself and many others shipwrecked on an island called Malta. Before we dive in to the story, I can’t help but remember that through the Holy Spirit, Paul warned the Romans not to attempt to go at the time they went, which would have prevented them from being on this island. It’s a fascinating lesson in God’s plan and purposes. It reminds me of the plans I make and how it goes with my kids.

Do children ever derail our plans? Sometimes. Sometimes we’re going to go somewhere and the kids get sick or something, but as I thought about it, I realized my kids can’t derail my plans. Not the big stuff. When we have had to move, it does not matter if the kids tell me no, if they break something, if they’re fighting, if I can’t get them to pack their stuff. My plans will come to pass, and they’re along for the ride. That doesn’t mean they don’t have free will, same with us, but what it means is that we have far less control over the plans of God than we think we do, and honestly, I take great comfort in that. It means that even when we don’t listen to God, it does not derail His plan of reaching more people, of redemption.

Paul finds himself in a place that they really weren’t meant to go. And we know that because they were warned against it. We have looked at Paul’s journey the last several weeks. For a quick recap, here’s the order of events starting from Acts 21.

Paul is arrested in Jerusalem

Paul goes before the Sanhedrin

There is a plot to kill Paul along the road

Paul’s trial before Governor Felix

Imprisoned for 2 years

Paul’s trial before Governor Festus

Paul appeals to Caesar

Paul before King Agrippa

Paul sails for Rome

Huge Storm

Shipwrecked on Malta

We now come to the island of Malta, where 2 significant events are recorded. Let’s look at the first one.

Acts 28:1–3 NIV

1 Once safely on shore, we found out that the island was called Malta. 2 The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 3 Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand.

Acts 28:4–6 NIV

4 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.” 5 But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects. 6 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.

What is striking to me about this passage is the context in which it is happening. For quite a while, things have been normal. What I mean is Paul is in court, he’s going by boat. The Holy Spirit is guiding him, yes, but nothing hugely miraculous. There’s a difference between Jesus preaching a sermon, and Jesus walking on water. One is true and good, the other is a clearer sign of God’s supernatural hand breaking the rules of the natural world.

It’s clear to me that God said to wait because there was a storm coming. They ended up on this island, where miracles happened. When I read this account in it’s full context, one thing shines through.

God Redeems Every Situation

They see this man get bit, and their first thought is, “he has not escaped the justice of the gods.” And that’s a reasonable assumption. But Paul knows he must testify in Rome, so he’s not worried. God uses this moment, and Paul’s faithfulness, to perform a miracle. He is drawing these people to him. The plans of man does not derail Him, and while they are here, God is going to use Paul.

Of course what happens? They think Paul is a god. Here we go again. Can you blame them? That was the common understanding of the people. But that phrase also reminds us they already have a faith in the divine, they just need to be told what the truth of the divine is.

This moment is also interesting in the light of the end of the Gospel of Mark. This passage has been the topic of debate, and there’s usually a note that explains how verses 9-20 of chapter 16 of Mark are not included in some of the earliest manuscripts. But it’s interesting and pertinent nonetheless. Mark 16:15-18

Mark 16:15–18 NIV

15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 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.”

We see Paul on the island of Malta living out these promises. By the way. Don’t test it. Don’t handle deadly snakes and drink poison. That’s like if Jesus said, “they will survive head on collisions” so you keep getting in head on collisions to prove you’re a Christian.

So this miraculous event happens, and they think Paul is a god. At that moment, it doesn’t say what Paul says to them, but I think we can reasonably assume based on Paul’s handling of this very same situation earlier in Acts that he explains to them that he is a follower of the most high God and a servant of Christ. Now that this sign has been shown, let’s see what happens next.

Acts 28:7–8 NIV

7 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. 8 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.

Acts 28:9–10 NIV

9 When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured. 10 They honored us in many ways; and when we were ready to sail, they furnished us with the supplies we needed.

When Jesus came, what did he start with? How did he first make that connection. He healed the sick. In the same way Paul finds himself on this island, off course in his scenario, but as far as we see he is not going around debating people pointing out where they are wrong. He is laying his hands on those who are sick and they are healed by the power of the Holy Spirit. And again, we can reasonably assume he is telling the about Jesus based on what we have read in Acts up to this point.

There’s so many much we can glean from this account. The first is this

Look for God’s Hand

We can so often find ourselves blown off course. It’s easy to give up. To say “well this isn’t where God wanted me.” But God did a mighty work on this island. Perhaps news of some of the things happening in Isreal had already been discussed, and now here is a man that can tell them the truth of the situation. In every scenario, when Paul could look around and say “well shoot, now what?” Instead he casts His eyes up and asks “Now what?” God consistently gives opportunities, all we have to do is look for what God’s hand is already doing. And this is another reminder to

Meet People Where They Are

To some, Paul came in hot. Scripture passages ready to quote and ready for a debate. But to others, and I would even argue to most, he started at a place of compassion and patience. Starting with what they knew and building from there. You see that throughout his letters. He starts at their knowledge base and builds from there. In the case of the people living on this island. They are hurt. In pain. Some dying. And so by the grace and power of the living God he prays for healing. Sometimes that’s where we need to be. Not to beat others over the head but come at it from a place of hurt in need of healing.

And finally, something we say, we know, but need another reminder of today.

Trust God’s Plan

The easiest and hardest thing to remember. Paul is shipwrecked on in island, and remember, he’s still technically a prisoner. He knows where God is leading him. At this point to stand trial before Caesar. He knows if they had listened to him they wouldn’t be in this mess. And yet he trusts the plans of God. “

“But Paul knew God’s plan for his life, and I don’t know mine,” we might say.

God’s plan is redemption. God’s plan is salvation. God’s plan is to draw you nearer to Him. And where do you fit in? You tell others, through your words and your actions. When you find yourself somewhere you never expected to be, you look for what GOD is doing and get in line with that.

In truth, we tend to over complicate it. We read scripture and see the highlights, and get discouraged because WE live in the day to day monotony. Paul shows us what daily faithfulness looks like. He knows God has a plan, and he’s going to do the work of leading others to Jesus in the meantime.

Last week we talked about being in the storm and just keeping our head above water. We talked about being lost and directionless.

My encouragement to you this week is this : You are a part of God’s Plan. God can and will use you. Maybe you feel like you’ve been completely derailed and are far away from where you understood your destination to be. Look at where you are and as God “Now what?” In the midst of my circumstances, who can I now represent Jesus to? Or maybe you feel more like the islanders and are open to the truth. Maybe God has brought someone to you that can show you the way. In both ways, God’s hand is evident. God is at work. And God loves you and wants to draw you in.