Acts 28
The miraculous signs that Paul performed
(or, more accurately, that God performed through Paul) stood as a sign and
testimony to the power of the Gospel that he proclaimed. The snake bite on the beach raised the
eyebrows of the natives. Much as when he
was in Lystra, the people of Malta thought that he must be a god. While Luke doesn’t record it, we can rest
assured that Paul set them straight and used the opportunity to proclaim Jesus
to be the savior of the world. (Malta is
a Christian stronghold to this day, pointing back to this event as why.)
 |
| St. Paul's Bay, Malta where the shipwreck is said to have happened. |
I wonder what Julius, the centurion of
the Augustan Corhort who was in charge of the expedition, or Paul’s personal
guard made of all this. Luke says
nothing of their conversion, but he does say that Paul was given great
deference and freedom for a prisoner.
When they arrived at Rome he was even allowed to live in a stay in a
private dwelling, with just his guard.
It was in that home that Paul met with
the Jewish leaders of Rome. The
difference between the miraculous outreach to the Maltese and the Biblical
dialogue he had with the Jews is worth noting.
With those who believe the Word of God, Paul has no greater evidence than
the Word of God. Among the Gentiles Paul
also proclaims the Word and introduces his hearers to the promises and
prophecies regarding Jesus’ death and resurrection, but it seems that God also often
granted miracles to the testimony to get their attention. In either case, it was the power and
authority of the Holy Spirit that created the greatest miracle – the conversion
of human hearts to faith in Jesus.
Today we find ourselves in a context
similar to Paul’s, in that many people do not know the Word of God, or doubt its
authority, veracity, or beneficial nature.
It is tempting to think we need to come up with all kinds of strategies
in order to get people to believe the Word.
The fact of the matter is that the Word of God creates faith. It is to the message of Jesus Christ
crucified, risen, ascended, and returning that we, like Paul, testify. God is faithful, and He will do His work in
His time and in His way (visible miracles or not) just as He promises.
Lord, sometimes I think that we need to come
up with ways to convert people. You are
the Way. Fix Your Truth in my
heart. Be my Life so that others will
meet you as I live in You and speak of You.
Amen.
Comments