A KIND RECEPTION ON MELITA

Acts 28:1-2 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.

Having weathered the violent storm, and even though the ship was wrecked and lost at sea, all people that had been aboard, both crew and passengers, made it to shore and were saved. It is obvious that no one had any idea of the land where they were until they came ashore. It was then that they found out the island on which they were finally cast, and gained safety,was called Melita, which most bible scholars consider to be the modern island of Malta, which lays approximately sixty miles from the southernmost point of Sicily.

Although under Roman rule, the people that greeted them on this island were neither Jew, Greek, nor Roman, and more than likely, spoke a dialect reflecting their origin. Therefore they were referred to as a barbarous people. However, they were extremely hospitable, showing gratitude for their safety and great kindness for their well-being. We can assume that having just swam or floated to shore on broken planks from the sinking ship, they were thoroughly soaked and shivering from the cold. This being so, the inhabitants of this island kindled a fire to give them needed heat and a means of drying their clothing. Indeed, these barbarous people showed us no little kindness.

Then, by the providence of God, something sensational occurred. The verses following the lesson text tell us that while Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, a viper came out of the heat, and fastened on his hand (Vs. 3). This was undoubtedly an extremely poisonous snake that, because of the heat, had become very active, and sprang up and fastened by its fangs onto Paul's hand. The natives of the island certainly knew the deadly nature of the snake when attacking human beings. Being a barbarous and idolatrous people, and having many superstitions, they assumed that this attack by a venomous snake was retribution against Paul for some past sinful act such as murder (Vs. 4). However, they observed Paul shaking the viper off of his hand into the fire, and felt no harm (Vs. 5). Realizing that the normal reaction of any human being would have been immediate swelling and death, they changed their minds about Paul, believing that he had received divine protection as an immortal being, saying he was a god (Vs. 6). This incident certainly gave Paul, and the gospel message of salvation that he preached, much credibility. To everyone that heeded his teaching, it most certainly established God as the creator of all things, and the author of His plan of eternal salvation for all mankind through His Son, Jesus Christ.

These truths are confirmed throughout the God's Holy Word, and here we find another infallible proof through the gift of miracles bestowed on Paul by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously (Vs. 7). Near to the place where Paul and the rest of the passengers escaped the sinking ship, and found safety, there resided the chief man of the island. His name was Publius, and he was probably the appointed governor of the island. He, too, demonstrated the hospitality prevalent in the island by giving them food and lodging in a polite and gracious manner. What a wonderful example it is to read of a man, such as Publius, having great wealth, and generously sharing it with others in need.

Here we find that the father of Publius was severely sick, having a fever and ...a bloody flux. Fever and certain intestinal diseases by themselves are often not severe. However when fever is the direct result of a bloody discharge from the bowels, it must be considered critical, and often fatal. This was inferred by Luke in this passage, who himself was a physician. Realizing the severe nature of his sickness, Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him (Vs. 8). There was no recovery period, as would usually be required from a normal healing process. This man, the father of Publius, had his health restored instantaneously - at the vary moment Paul laid his hands on him. This miracle gained immediate notoriety among other inhabitants of the island. Therefore others, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed (Vs. 9).

What began as a hospitable reception of a shipwrecked people in need of food, clothing, and shelter, brought the miraculous healing by God's power through His servant, the apostle Paul. Verse 10 tells us that when they later departed for Rome, they were once again honored by filling the needs of Paul, and all that had been saved from the raging sea. Hospitality, indeed, breeds hospitality!