On Fire for Jesus

In Acts 27, Paul and 275 others survived a shipwreck. Thanks to God’s grace, they were close to shore. They used pieces of the wooden ship to float to shore. Everyone survived.

While on the island of Malta, the natives kindly kindled a fire to warm them. Paul gathered a bundle of sticks for the fire as well. However, as he neared the fire, “Ouch!” A viper bit his hand. A viper’s bite is deadly. The natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, and remarked, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” [1]

Paul was doing a good deed. It’s amazing how people jump to false conclusions when something bad happens to a good person. Nevertheless, the Lord told Paul previously that he would stand before Caesar. Paul shook the viper off into the fire. The snake died. He lived. “The natives changed their minds and said that he was a god.” [2]

After that, a leading citizen of the island entertained Paul and others courteously for three days. The man’s father was sick with fever and dysentery, so Paul prayed for him, and he was healed. Then, the rest of those on the island who had diseases came and were healed. Revival! It was no coincidence that they crashed into this island.

Paul and his company received many honors during their three month stay in Malta, and the locals met all their needs. [3] God made a way where there seemed no way.

When Paul reached Rome, he was allowed to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him. He dwelt there two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him. What did he do? He preached the kingdom of God and taught people about the Lord Jesus Christ. He did so with confidence. No one stopped him anymore. [4]

What about Paul’s appearance before Caesar? How did that go? Apparently very well. In his letter to the Philippians, he wrote of saints in Caesar’s household. How did that happen? Did Paul witness to them as he did to the two Roman governors, Felix and Festus, and as he did to King Agrippa and his wife Drusilla? Perhaps!

“All the saints greet you, but especially those who are of Caesar’s household.” [5]

Before he left this world, he wrote a challenge to us in his letter to the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” [6] I have heard of the ice bucket challenge, but who wants to be cold or lukewarm? Let’s imitate Paul! Let’s be on fire for Jesus!

[1] Acts 28:1-4
[2] Acts 28:5-6
[3] Acts 28:7-11
[4] Acts 28:15-16, 30-31
[5] Philippians 4:22
[6] 1 Corinthians 11:1