MONDAY - September 21

Read. Acts 28:1-10

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.

Reflect. When the travelers crash into the shore of Malta they are looking for a place to stay for the winter, and the people of Malta show them “extraordinary kindness.” In many places, Paul has been show kindness by nonChristians. Many times it has been the Romans who have saved Paul’s life, and now he and the others are experiencing kindness from other pagans. What do you see as the significance of this? Why would Luke (the author of Acts) paint nonChristians in such a favorable light? 

• In 28:8 we learn that Paul carries out a medical or healing ministry on the island. We learn that all who were sick are healed. Though Paul has spent his last several years preaching and sharing about the love of Jesus, he does things differently here. He acts out the healing ministry of Jesus without any documented preaching. 
• Though he does not engage in missionary preaching during his time on Malta, the ministry of Paul makes a large impact. The impact of this stay on Malta is not recorded in the Bible; however, later tradition tells of what happened. Now, the traditional site of the wreck is known as St. Paul’s Island. Additionally, Publius (whose father was healed by Paul) is told to have converted to Christianity and became the first Bishop of Malta. As Christianity would later spread through the Roman Empire, Malta became the first Roman colony to convert to Christianity. 
• How was the message of Christianity spread even though Paul didn’t “preach”? How can this help you share the love of Christ, today? 

Pray. Jesus, your love changes hearts and lives. Help me to live as one changed by your love, so that I may help your love change the hearts and lives of others. Amen.

COMMUNITY PRAYER LIST

Doug Lawson. Bobby Roberts. Collier. Glenn Ethridge. Adam Funderburk.  Mary Reber.  Linda Harmon. Betty Carolyn Ward. Jeff. Albert Rasanke. Lois Robinson. Ross Henley. Tiny & Donald Creasman. Bill and Barbara Buchanan. Bonnie Brenner. Baker Family. Robert McKenzie Family. Kibler family. Carolyn Harlow. Jeff Green. Earl Graves. Mickey Huff. Huff & Welch families. Helen Leigh. Paul Huffman. Schools, Teachers, Staff, Parents, Students. Church regathering plans. Layman family. Charlene Withrow. Brandon Casteel. Dirk Orr family. Smith family. Crowder family. Lillard family. Family of Floyd Eaton. Family of Eddie Rynes. Robertson Family. Harmon Family.