Acts 28:1-10 - Paul's miracle and ministry at Malta

As foretold by Paul, every one of them managed to make it to the land safely and realized that the island was Malta. This was indeed God’s providential care on display. And through the extreme kindness of the islanders, they were received and cared for sympathetically. Being wet and cold from the water of the sea and rain, the islanders built a fire to warm and dry them.

Paul was not known for being an idle, he didn’t take the hospitality of the Maltese for granted. He helped to keep the fire going. While gathering a bundle of sticks to stroke the fire, a viper hooked itself on his hand. He was bitten by it and the fangs of the snake must have sunk deeply into his hand and fastened itself there. The viper was a poisonous snake and everyone must have expected a severe outcome for him. The Maltese conclusion on seeing the snake hanging on Paul’s hand was that he must be a vicious murderer. And although he survived the seas he could not run away from justice.

What happened next was remarkable! Paul just shook the snake and flung it into the fire and suffered no harm. All those who saw the viper’s attack on Paul was expecting to see Paul suffering some effects of the snake’s bite. They expected him to either drop dead or have a swollen arm at the least. But they waited and waited for a long time and nothing happened. So they had a change of mind and mistakenly deduced that Paul must be a god. 

Verse 7 introduces us to Publius, the chief official of the island. He was said to own parcels of land around the vicinity where the survivors were. Publius took both Paul and his party and entertained them for three days. It so happened that his father was seriously ill. He was bedridden because of a high fever and dysentery. So Paul visited this man, prayed and then laid hand on him and instantly he was healed. As a result, Paul had a healing campaign, all the sick and diseased in the island came to Paul and were healed. They also highly respected Paul and his team, probably speaking well of them. But most of all, they came with provision for all their needs when they were about to set sail.  

This account tells us how needful it is to heed the proverb that urges us not to judge a book by its cover. The Maltese’s conclusion that Paul was a vicious murderer stands as an example. But like Paul, wherever we may be, we are Christ’s representatives. We are divine channels and conduits. Regardless of where the waves of life may bring us, each of us can be a catalyst that releases God’s presence and blessings.