Paul and the whole group remained
at Malta for three months due to the winter. There was another ship that was
there, probably sheltering from the same storm that Paul underwent. This ship
was from Alexandria and had also spent the winter there. Since it was another
grain ship at the disposal of the Roman government, the centurion could use it
to help convey him, the soldiers and prisoners to Rome. Interestingly we are told that it bore the figurehead
of the twin Castor and Pollux. These were the patron gods for the sailors. The mention
of these gods reveals that the Christians then were also confronted by the insignia
of pagan faith
The whole entourage set sail on
the Alexandrian ship and arrived at Syracuse and spent three days there. They
could have stopped there to wait for favourable wind condition. From there they
sailed around to Rhegium. The word around may suggest that they took a more roundabout
route. A day later a south wind sprang up and made it easy to sail. So on the
following day they arrived at Puteoli.
At Puteoli they found some
brethren and were invited to stay with them for seven days. We do not know how
the Christian brethren came to be there. It could well be that Christian
businessmen could have brought the Gospel to Puteoli. They were able to stay with
those Christians probably due to the considerateness of the centurion. He must
have delayed the travel for a week to accommodate Paul. After seven days they
resumed their journey on foot to Rome.
The delay at Puteoli gave the
brethren the opportunity to send advance words to Rome of Paul’s expected
arrival there. Not wanting to wait, the
brethren at Rome set out to meet him and his team at the Market of Appius.
Others met them at the Three Inns. Prior to the meet up, Paul must have been apprehensive
about the brethren at Rome, how they would receive him. With such reception, every
bit of apprehension was dismissed. So Paul gave thanks to God, was energized and
found courage.
In Rome, Paul was only placed
on house arrest and given freedom to stay by himself in his own quarter, with only
the soldier guarding him. He was allowed to meet friends whom he had known. A
long list of them were mentioned in his epistle to the Romans. He had great
opportunity to fulfil his desire to proclaim the Word at the very heart of the
Roman Empire.
Why did Paul get such liberty? Here
is one simple reason. His life was lived in such a way for the Lord that it
impacted the people around him. He proved himself to be trustworthy. To Julius,
the centurion, he must surely be a prisoner turned into a friend. The former
would have come to the point that he knew he could consult Paul on the matters
of life. How about us? Have we been able to leave a lasting impact in the lives
of others? Living a life for Christ is the key to a trustworthy life.
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