Acts 28:7-10

Summary retelling of Acts 28:7-10

In the area where the people were shipwrecked were the lands of the chief of the people of Malta.  The chief was named Publius.  Publius welcomed Paul, his companions, and probably the rest of the shipwrecked victims.  During the time of Publius’ hospitality, Paul heard that Publius’ father was sick with dysentery.  Paul prayed over Publius and while he laid his hands upon Publius’s father God healed him.  Word about this event spread and soon all of the sick and diseased on the island were brought before Paul.  The people of the island honored Paul and his companions.  When the time came for sailing to be safe again, the people gave whatever supplies were needed to Paul and his companions.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Publius welcomes the shipwrecked victims into his home.  Here we can see why it is that the native people of Malta were so generous to the victims.  They had a generous leader.  People often follow the example of their leaders.  Since Publius appeared to be generous, the native people under his leadership mirrored that quality.

How can we train ourselves to take leadership seriously?  Why is it so important for leaders to have a public testimony of the qualities they desire to inspire in others?

Second Thought:

Paul is always on the job.  Here is a man who is under guard.  He’s just survived a horrible shipwreck.  He has been bitten by some kind of poisonous snake.  He’s tried to be the messenger between God’s will and the rest of the people on the ship.  Just when you would think he would desire a break, he’s ready to get to work.  He is God’s conduit for the healing of Publius’ father.  Then he is the conduit for God’s healing of the whole island!

Have you ever heard the cliché: There is no rest for the weary?  What does it mean?  Do you think it is a Christian principle?  Does Jesus display any similar quality?  If so, where do you remember Jesus having this quality?

Third Thought:

Paul and his companions are honored by the inhabitants of the island.  Imagine Julius’ reaction to this.  Here is Paul, the person who is to go before Caesar in trial.  As a prisoner, he actively works to save lives.  He works to save the lives of all the soldiers and victims on the ship.  He has compassion on a whole island full of people that he has never met.  Then Julius notes that through Paul, his journey to Rome is going to be well supplied.

What would you be thinking if you were Julius?  How does this show us how we as Christians are to promote Christ?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 28:11-16

Acts 28:1-6

Summary retelling of Acts 28:1-6

After the shipwreck experience was over, it was learned that the island upon which they were shipwrecked was called Malta.  The native people were hospitable, giving the ability to make and sustain fires to those who were shipwrecked.  As Paul was gathering sticks to sustain fire, he was bit on the hand by a viper.  At first, the native people of Malta took it as a sign of guilt because the “gods” had seen fit to kill him even after escaping a shipwreck in the midst of a bad storm.  However, Paul shook off the snake and suffered no ill effects from the bite of the snake.  When they saw that Paul hadn’t died from the bite – or even gotten sick – the native people of Malta changed their opinion of him and considered it a good omen.  They began to look upon Paul as if he were a god himself.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

The native people are friendly to those who are shipwrecked.  This is more of a significant note than it seems.  Remember, there are 276 of these shipwrecked people.  It is not as though 3 or 4 people descended unexpectedly upon Malta.  Caring for 276 stranded victims would be no small measure of hospitality.  But the people of Malta were indeed generous.

What makes some people naturally hospitable?  What essential characteristic does a person need to have in order to live a life of hospitality?

Second Thought:

Paul is bitten by a viper – a venomous snake.  In the Bible, the word used to describe the snake is a word that is often used for asps, cobras, or vipers in general.  (Modern taxonomy suggests that it may be the Leopard Snake that bit Paul.)  Whatever snake it is, remember that the author of the book of Acts is Luke, and Luke clearly is one of the ones shipwrecked (note this passage begins with “we”).  Luke was a master researcher and physician.  We can trust this account as having actually happened.  How fortunate was Paul to be bitten by a poisonous snake and not suffer any ill effects!

Why do you think Paul didn’t suffer any effects?  Was the snake out of venom?  Did the snake choose to not envenomate?  Did the snake envenomate but God protected him anyways? 

Third Thought:

Isn’t it funny how people use the events around them however they see fit?  When Paul is bit, the native folks assume it’s a bad thing.  When he doesn’t die, that bad thing suddenly turns into proof that he’s a god.  When we don’t have a concrete faith structure (like that presented in the Bible) we can get tossed around from one thought to another.  We are always trying to interpret the things around us to get a perspective on “fate” or “luck” or “chance” or “signs.”  God wants us to be confident in our faith by focusing on Him and discerning His will through His Word and the fellowship of the saints rather than by looking at chance or fate.

Do you ever get sucked into believing that you’re unlucky or that you are carrying around bad karma?  What is the danger in putting too much stock into those ideas?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 28:7-10

Acts 27:39-44

Summary retelling of Acts 27:39-44

As the crew of the ship looked out for a place to make landfall, they saw an island that they did not recognize.  The saw that it did have a beach, so they tried to aim for the shore and run the ship aground in as favorable place as possible.  They undid all the lashings that they had done several days prior in order to keep the ship together.  This way, they could steer the ship accordingly.  The ship struck a reef and the water lodged the ship fast.  The waves began t tear the ship apart.  The Roman soldiers planned to kill the prisoners, but the centurion stopped them because of Paul and his words.  He ordered anyone who could swim to jump into the water and make for the beach.  Everyone else was to grab onto wood from the shipwreck and let it carry them into the beach.  Everyone on the ship made it safely to the shore as God promised.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Amazingly, the people on the ship seem to be able to act with clarity of thought and a purpose.  Don’t forget that yesterday the focus was on Paul’s witness to them through a communion-like meal.  Paul displays Jesus Christ to the people on the ship and they immediately begin to stop acting rashly and begin to act according to a greater plan.  We should never doubt God’s ability to come among us use the people around us for His glory.

Why is it easy to overlook the influence of God?  Have you ever been in a situation where people acted more rationally than they should have?

Second Thought:

The sailors intentionally drove the ship towards the beach, knowing that it would likely destroy the ship on a reef.  Sometimes in life the things that we think keep us safe must be destroyed so that we can truly go forward in God’s plan.  The sailors had to be willing to destroy the ship in order to get close to the promised safety of the beach.

Why is it hard to let go of things in our life that have served us well?  What do we call things in our life that served us well but because of our continued dependence upon them they eventually become an obstacle to what God is trying to do with us?

Third Thought:

Everyone is saved.  God’s promise is fulfilled.  God keeps His Word.  When God promises salvation, He does not disappoint.

How can this story speak to you and your need for salvation?  How does this story give you confidence that you will also be able to be saved by God?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 28:1-6

Acts 27:33-38

Summary retelling of Acts 27:33-38

As they drew near to the land and day came, Paul urged them to eat what little food remained on the boat.  Paul knows that in the course of a shipwreck people will need some energy – hence they will need food.  Paul reminds them that God has promised nobody will die.  Paul then takes food, gives thanks to God for it, and breaks the food open in order to begin eating it.  Paul encourages everyone present to eat.  There were 276 people present.  When everyone had eaten, they threw the rest of the food overboard in order to lighten the ship as much as possible.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul keeps his head.  He knows what happens when people are stressed.  He knows what it feels like to wonder when the moment of death is going to surround a person.  He knows that eating is not the first thing on a person’s mind during such times.  However, Paul also trusts in God’s power.  He calms down the people on the boat and reminds them that God is with them.  Paul is willing and able to be a testimony for God because he keeps his wits about him and he is willing to trust that God is in control.

Is it easy for you to trust God?  When is it easier than other times?  When is it harder than other times?

Second Thought:

Paul has a meal that reads very similar to communion.  Paul takes the food (we presume bread since they talk about “throwing wheat into the sea).  He offers thanks to God.  He breaks it.  Then they partake of it.  Sounds like communion to me!  Remember that we are told that Jesus will always be found in the genuine “breaking of the bread.”  Paul is showing the people on this ship that even though they are in the midst of a very dangerous event and a life-threatening situation, Jesus Christ is present and among them.

How do you react in reading that one of the last things that Paul does before the ship is wrecked is to have communion with the ship-mates?  Would communion be on your mind at that time?  What can this teach us about priorities in life?

Third Thought:

There were 276 people present – most of whom are likely not Christians.  Look at the witness that Paul is able to give to them.  He can give this witness because he is willing to be used and even sacrifice his own life if necessary.  How great is God in that He can even make converts in the midst of a shipwreck!

Is there any bad time to be a witness to Christ?  What are some times in your past where you could have been a great witness but you simply were focused elsewhere and missed that opportunity?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 27:39-44

Acts 27:21-32

Summary retelling of Acts 27:21-32

Paul sees the consequences of them not heeding his spiritual advice.  He convicts the captain and the centurion, but he also gives them words of hope.  Paul says that they will not experience any loss of life as long as they listen to him now.  Paul relates how an angel had been talking with Paul and telling him that he will stand before Caesar and how God has promised that all who remain with Paul will be saved.  After fourteen nights of being in the storm, the sailors feared that they were running aground.  They took measurements and found that to be true.  Some of the sailors sought to escape the process of being run aground so they tried to escape on the ship’s harbor boat (see yesterday’s summary).  Paul warns the centurion that if they leave the ship, they will not be saved.  The soldiers cut away to ropes holding the small boat, forcing the sailors to stay with the ship.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

God is with Paul.  In the midst of this horrible storm, God sends an angel to Paul.  God does not abandon Paul.  The angel reassures Paul in the midst of his present turmoil.

Is this fact comforting?  Why?  How do you know that God is with you during the “storms” of your life?

Second Thought:

Some of the sailors react out of fear.  Even after all that has happened, they cannot bring themselves to still trust God through Paul’s words.  Some people always believe they can save themselves and cannot humble themselves trust in anyone or anything else.

Why do you think there are people who continue to not humble themselves before God?  Why do some people find it impossible to place trust in God?

Third Thought:

The centurion and his sailors cut away the small harbor boat.  They remove temptation from the sailors to leave.  This is a clear symbol that in life we must occasionally be willing to cut away the things that tempt us to trust in ourselves rather than trusting in God.

How easy do you think it was for the soldiers to cut away the little ship and know that in doing they were forcing everyone to deal with a shipwreck in the midst of a horrible storm?  What does this show us about the faith of the soldiers and their willingness to put their trust in Paul’s words (and God’s promise)?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 27:33-38

Acts 27:13-20

Summary retelling of Acts 27:13-20

The winds appeared to be favorable for sailing, so the captain of the ship ordered the ship to sail on.  It wasn’t long before the ship was caught up in a northeaster – a strong storm common in the Mediterranean Sea during this time of year.  The ship couldn’t stand up to the winds, so they had to let the winds drive the ship along.  The sailors were able to pull up the ship’s “boat” – a small craft used to sail in an out of harbors to determine if it was worth it for the big ship to try and sail into the harbor to sell its goods.  The sailors also ran ropes and chains around the ship’s hull to help try and keep it together.  To keep from hitting bottom in the rough seas, they began tossing all the heavy gear and cargo off of the boat.  The storm lasted for several days.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Immediately after disregarding Paul’s advice, the conditions look favorable.  However, things quickly turn bad.  This is often the pattern of sinful behavior.  We do the sin because it looks good.  It looks favorable.  But shortly after getting into sin it turns into something far less manageable and far less good for us.  Soon we find ourselves driven along by sin and no longer in the driver’s seat of our life.  Just as the ship found itself tossed about on the sea because they didn’t heed Paul’s spiritual advice, so we also find ourselves tossed about in sin when we don’t heed the spiritual advice of God’s Word.

Where can you find solid spiritual advice and support?  Are there people to whom you are confident in turning to help you walk according to God’s Word?

Second Thought:

The boat couldn’t stand up to the storm.  It was driven along.  There was nothing the sailors could do but endure the storm.  Sure, they can shore up the boat and hope the boat isn’t destroyed, but there was no way out of the storm until it passed.

How is this also an analogy to sin in our life?  Have you ever been in a position to not be able to escape the consequences of sin?  How does it feel to be in an inescapable set of consequences and know that you have to simply endure them?  What can we learn in those times?

Third Thought:

The sailors begin chucking tackle, gear and cargo overboard.  The sailors get unnecessary stuff out of their life.  They determine what they need to survive and see how the rest of it is ultimately expendable.

How does this relate to our storms of life?  What things do you have in your life that you think is necessary but in the midst of a storm could be deemed expendable?  Why do we tend to think of things that are expendable as though they are necessary until the storms of life come along?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 27:21-32

Acts 27:1-12

Summary retelling of Acts 27:1-12

When it is time for Paul to set sail for Rome, Paul (and a bunch of other prisoners) is given into the hands of a Roman centurion named Julius.  They board a ship that was due to set sail west along Asia Minor.  One of the disciples that Paul made in Thessalonica, Aristarchus, went with Paul and his companions.  As they traveled, Julius treated Paul very kindly.  Whenever they got to a port in which Paul had friends, Paul could go among them and receive care until the ship sailed again.  After a while, the centurion found a ship heading directly to Rome so they changed ships.  The ship had some trouble sailing against the prevailing winds and current, but eventually they came to a place called Fair Havens.  The voyage had already taken more time than expected, and Paul knew that the season for safely sailing upon the Mediterranean Sea had passed them by.  Paul cautions them that if they continue on that the voyage will be filled with injury and great loss.  However, the captain of the ship and the centurion do not listen to Paul.  They decide to sail on in hopes to find a better harbor in which to spend the poor sailing season.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

We can note that the centurion, Julius, was very kind to Paul.  The centurion certainly knows that Paul is a Roman citizen.  He also certainly knows that Paul was not convicted of anything by Festus or Herod Agrippa.  The only reason Paul is still in custody is because he asked for his case to be heard by Caesar.  Thus, the centurion really has no reason to not trust Paul.

What can this passage teach us about compassion?  What reasons might Julius have had to treat Paul poorly?  What can this passage tell us about judging other people based on the circumstances we find them in?

Second Thought:

We also hear that Paul is cared for as they sail along the coast.  People genuinely wish to ease Paul’s plight.  They knew the burden that Paul was under.  They knew he was headed to Rome (and likely to go face-to-face with Nero).  There was reason for the people to be compassionate to Paul and they achieved the need.

What else does this passage seem to teach us about compassion?  When is the right time for compassion? 

Third Thought:

Paul gives advice, but his advice is disregarded.  It is likely that they wouldn’t consider Paul’s advice because he is, after all, simply a wandering theologian.  Paul was not a sailor.  Nor was he all that skilled in sailing the Mediterranean Sea.  So they looked past his advice.

What can this passage tell us about listening to people?  What can this passage teach us about the judgments we place on people’s thoughts based on their qualifications?

Passage for Tomorrow: Acts 27:13-20