Acts 27-28
Tim Darnell
The apostle, Paul, was having a rough time. His fellow Jews were adamant about stopping him from preaching the Good News about Jesus Christ. Their disdain escalated to the point of inciting riots, while vociferously calling for Paul’s arrest. For more than two years he was held prisoner, transported to various places of confinement awaiting trial after trial - all based on false accusation.
Many wanted him dead, hatching plots and strategies to have him stoned and flogged. Each event was avoided, sometimes at the last minute. As he was stretched out to be flogged on one occasion he asked the commander whether it was lawful to flog a Roman citizen. That one tactic saved a horrific punishment since Roman citizens were immune to that particular punishment.
Now, through the appeal process, Paul had gained an audience for ultimate trial with Caesar in Rome. On the way to face the Roman king in Rome, Paul’s ship was besieged by terrible storms and rough seas to the extent that the ship broke apart and ran aground on the island of Malta. The crew and other prisoners had to swim for their life to safety. But that’s not all - it immediately gets worse!
“Once safely on shore, we found out the island was called Malta. The islanders showed us unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed us all because it was raining and cold. 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 28:1-3
You think you’ve had a bad day! The good news about that particular “icing on the cake” is that the snake’s bite didn’t kill Paul, which brings us to the point of today’s Messenger:
The next recorded event by Luke, an eyewitness to much of Paul’s life and the author of the book of Acts, and is that Paul went to heal the father of the chief official of the island. “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. When this had happened, the rest of the sick on the island came and were cured.” Acts 28:8
Service – thinking of others; helping others; healing the sick; ministering to the needs of those in trouble – all “others oriented” activities – even amidst his own severe challenges. Most of us would have been so “self oriented” after suffering negative event after negative event, that we wouldn’t have been able to consider the needs of others. Like the Southwest Airlines advertisement that asks, “Wanna get away?” most of us would have been in the “I’m out of here”, vacation or escape mode!
But Paul knew the secret to fulfillment and joy – do what God has set out for you to do. Attend to the needs of others who are suffering and incapable of helping themselves, whether you’ve got your own profound challenges or not. Rather than running off somewhere or withdrawing to lick his own wounds, Paul was immediately drawn to ministering to others.
Despite the overwhelming negative events that seemingly never ceased to occur, not only did he serve others, Paul also CONTINUED ON HIS MISSION! Paul likely could have escaped from his guards in the chaos of the shipwreck. But whether he could have taken advantage of an opening for escape or not, Paul chose to stay the course and finish the work that God gave him, making the best of his bad situation.
Paul didn’t let circumstances keep him from proclaiming the good news of Jesus’ resurrection. He preached and continued to preach to growing crowds, and many were saved.
And here’s what I love the most. Luke concludes the book of Acts by stating, “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 28:31
I wonder if you are being bold in your beliefs. Do you retract from your mission when events come against you? Are you speaking boldly the message of Jesus Christ to others who desperately need to hear the Good News?
Paul was not deterred, and I pledge to you that neither will I. I commit to you that, in spite of whatever – I mean, whatever, I will not be deterred. I will continue in my mission and, like Paul, be bold in preaching the life saving message of Jesus Christ. Will you join me?
What we’ve learned:
- Prevail in spite of terrible or negative circumstances
- Act on others’ needs above your own
- Speak the truth boldly and without hindrance
- Never cease to continue your God-given mission
Father, we look to the example of your great saint, the apostle Paul, and like him we commit to you to always be bold in our life’s journey. It is by Your strength that we prevail. In Jesus name, Amen.
If you would like to commit your life to Jesus Christ, you can do so, and thereby experience the most important gift ever offered to mankind! You don’t have to be perfect – I’m certainly not and I know you aren’t either. In fact, we all sin and fall far short of perfection. Won’t you make the greatest decision you can ever make? I pray that you will do so today.
To accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, click this link:
 | Tim Darnell is a Christian business owner, professional recording artist, and most importantly, husband to Cathy and father to Lindy, Hannah, and Caleb. |
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