JESUS’ LIFE REVEALED
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Opening Prayer
Lord Jesus, all authority and power belong to you. Thank you for the faith that is mine in you, for the joy and security that are mine because of your sacrifice for me.
Read ACTS 28:1–16
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
Paul Ashore on Malta
28 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. 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.
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. 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.
Paul’s Arrival at Rome
11 After three months we put out to sea in a ship that had wintered in the island—it was an Alexandrian ship with the figurehead of the twin gods Castor and Pollux. 12 We put in at Syracuse and stayed there three days. 13 From there we set sail and arrived at Rhegium. The next day the south wind came up, and on the following day we reached Puteoli. 14 There we found some brothers and sisters who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 The brothers and sisters there had heard that we were coming, and they traveled as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns to meet us. At the sight of these people Paul thanked God and was encouraged. 16 When we got to Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with a soldier to guard him.
New International Version (NIV)Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
‘For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.’1
Paul’s ministry often resembles that of Jesus. Jesus was lauded as a prophet of God and then vilified as demonic. Here, Paul is called a cursed murderer whose sins have found him out, then a god who has power over snakes. He is associated with sinners and prisoners, yet he is befriended by people in authority like Julius and Publius. This, again, is reminiscent of Jesus—a friend to both Nicodemus and Zacchaeus. Luke notes that the islanders, and then Publius, show ‘unusual kindness’ (v. 2) to Paul and his friends. Since the Roman commander first took pains to protect Paul, he has been shown favor, despite his status as a prisoner. These friendships, however, are nothing compared to the joy of seeing Christian brothers and sisters in Rome. The islanders honored Paul, Luke, and the Christians ‘in many ways’ (v. 10) because of their ministry, but the brothers and sisters loved, blessed, and encouraged them.
Paul’s healing of Publius’ father is also like Jesus’ healing of Peter’s mother-in-law.2 The Spirit of God anoints Paul, as he did Jesus, bringing life and healing. Not only does it show the continued divine favor on Paul’s mission to the gentiles, but it also affirms Paul himself. Paul is a much-loved and favored servant of God. Like Jesus, he is heading to an ominous future, but God is still with him; he is ‘hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.’3 Paul is conscious that his body is weak, that he may be going to his death, but conscious, too, that Jesus’ life is being revealed through him. He rejoices in this. As he says to the Corinthians, ‘death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.’4
Apply
Reflect on how Paul’s suffering and service, and the early Christians’ sacrificial love, can inspire you today.
Closing prayer
Jesus, thank you for the relationships you have given me. Use me to be an encouragement for those who share my faith in you and a shining light for those in darkness who do not yet know you.
1 2 Cor 4:11. 2 Luke 4:38, 39. 3 2 Cor 4:8, 9. 4 2 Cor 4:12.
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