“Once we were safe on shore, we learned that we were on the island of Malta. 2 The people of the island were very kind to us. It was cold and rainy, so they built a fire on the shore to welcome us. 3 As Paul gathered an armful of sticks and was laying them on the fire, a poisonous snake, driven out by the heat, bit him on the hand. 4 The people of the island saw it hanging from his hand and said to each other, “A murderer, no doubt! Though he escaped the sea, justice will not permit him to live.” 5 But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and was unharmed. 6 The people waited for him to swell up or suddenly drop dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw that he wasn’t harmed, they changed their minds and decided he was a god. 7 Near the shore where we landed was an estate belonging to Publius, the chief official of the island. He welcomed us and treated us kindly for three days. 8 As it happened, Publius’s father was ill with fever and dysentery. Paul went in and prayed for him, and laying his hands on him, he healed him. 9 Then all the other sick people on the island came and were healed. 10 As a result we were showered with honours, and when the time came to sail, people supplied us with everything we would need for the trip.” Acts 28:1-10 NLT
“ It was three months after the shipwreck that we set sail on another ship that had wintered at the island—an Alexandrian ship with the twin gods as its figurehead. 12 Our first stop was Syracuse, where we stayed three days. 13 From there we sailed across to Rhegium. A day later a south wind began blowing, so the following day we sailed up the coast to Puteoli. 14 There we found some believers, who invited us to spend a week with them. And so we came to Rome.” Acts 28:12-14 NLT
Great Physician, Almighty God,
Jesus likened himself to a physician in Luke 5:31-32. One who healed from sin and sometimes their sickness too. But You, God are more concerned with our eternal healing for eternal life. Being healed from death is something no-one else can do, only You in Jesus. Man can only sometimes extend life.
Here, Paul does not set himself up as a healer. He practices what he preaches. He prays in all circumstances (Philippians 4:6). He trusts You for answers. And the snake bite does not kill him. Superstition was burned to cinders as it should be. The father of one of the officials of Malta is sick so Paul goes to pray for him. And You, Father answered that prayer too. Paul finds himself surrounded with needy people and prays, leaving the outcome to You. Luke the author of Acts is here faithfully recording this and as he was a doctor we know they were no no coincidental recoveries. Sandwiched between an almost deadly shipwreck and being tried in Rome by Caesar it is a miraculous three months respite.
Earlier Paul had written to the Corinthians, “ And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Here he learned that God could also take him aside to rest between challenges and temptations and grant miracles. Help us to “not be lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.” as Paul taught in Romans 12:12 and practiced here.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen
Worship Saturday 13th December 2025
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
All of my ambitions, hopes and plans
I surrender these into Your hands.
Repeat
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
For it’s only in Your will that I am free,
Jesus, all for Jesus,
All I am and have and ever hope to be.
Lyrics: Robin Mark