Stop looking at the clock!
- Christine DiGiacomo
- Mar 17
- 5 min read
Every once in a while, you just want to know that God sees you, that he is with you, and frankly, that he has heard your prayers and is at work - especially in the tough times.
For that reason, I was drawn back again to the first several verses of Acts 28, where we pictured Paul coming on shore at Malta, his ship having broken to pieces. [Remember the ship-wrecked crew from Gilligan's Island? something like that setting] In short order, as he built a fire, Paul was attacked by a poisonous snake. And yesterday I mused about whether he looked heavenward and reminded God that he was on a mission for Him. But wait, there's more to this passage.
Luke writes:
"After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. The native people showed us unusual kindness, for they kindled a fire and welcomed us all, because it had begun to rain and was cold. When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand.When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.1
Did you catch it? The Maltese people--let's call them the majority--first deemed Paul a murderer. Right here, we see that based on what the people saw, they made a pronouncement, a judgment about the man Paul. But in short order, that same majority proclaimed him a god. Listen up - the majority often gets it wrong, so we must not let anyone else determine our worth, the course we will take or our mission. People are fickle, so our value cannot be based on the approval of others; and as much as it hurts, we cannot wilt when they turn away or 'unfriend' us for being zealots. (yes I've been called that)
Luke succinctly describes how quickly the islanders changed their mind about Paul, and continues:
"Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed."2
The Roman leader of Malta, Publius, hosts Paul and friends at his home. All 276 from the boat? We do not know, but because of this Italian's hospitality, Paul 'just happens' to be in position to be the hands of God. Paul does what he is called to do - he prays for Publius' sick father, lays his hands on him, and in response, God heals the man.
Stop. Think of this moment. Hmm, how long has it been since Paul has been used of God to heal someone? With all that preceded this time on Malta . . . arrests, trials, incarceration, a ship voyage... and a shipwreck! I can't help but wonder as he reaches out to touch the father, if he is thinking of all that is at play. Because of his desire to see Publius receive Jesus Christ, Paul knows that a move of God will change the Roman's heart.
Interestingly, Publius is venerated as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.3 Legend has it that after he met Paul, Publius became a Christ follower. Huh...so interesting.
Once the father was healed, word got out on the island, and 'the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured.'4 Incredible. The Minute Clinic folks were out of jobs.
Because healings have been referenced throughout this book of Acts, we are in danger of reading right over the mention of them. This ought not be! Everyone on the island who was sick came to Paul and they were healed. Wow.
Here's the thing: God has not changed in the last 2000 years -
God is who He always was:
the Creator - God of life, of living, healing and flourishing.
God commands us to pray,
and to not give up praying;
He tells us to bring the sick for the prayer of healing.5
The same God who healed an unnamed man on Malta
hears and answers our prayers, too.
Jesus said, “My Father is always at his work
to this very day, and I too am working.”6
God's actions unequivocally let Paul know that He still wants to use him; yes, he has what it takes - the faith to pray and watch God work. No matter that he is still getting the sea water out of his ears, God empowers Paul to continue preaching the Gospel!
On a remote island, God did the miraculous to draw all the islanders to be touched by Paul, changed by God. What an endorsement of Paul's life, his faith, his mission, as he had tangible proof that God was still using him to set people free and change their lives. If he wondered where God was in the shipwreck or why it was taking so long to get to Rome, we see here that God is always ready to do a work, and even when we do not understand his delay in answering our prayers, God is always on time.
What about you? What about me? Do we have what it takes to share the love and the power of Jesus Christ with people today?
Do we have what it takes to pray, lay hands on, and confidently approach the throne of grace where we will find mercy for the sick, addicted, infirmed and afflicted?
O yes, we do. And as for how and when God responds, what a great reminder that He is always on time.
Live boldly,
Christine
no. 65, Acts
1 - Acts 28.1-6
2 - Acts 28.7-10
3 - Heaven on Wheels, https://www.heavenonwheels.org/p/a-study-of-acts-healings-on-malta
4 - Acts 28.9
5 - James 5.14-15
6 - John 5.17
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