Day 59 – Unusual Kindness (28:1-10)
“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.” (28:1-2)
Have you noticed that our Lord often puts some random people in our paths of life? If God is a God of purposes, have you wondered what the divine purposes behind these encounters?
The life of the people living in the tiny secluded quiet island of Malta was interrupted by the unexpected visit of the Roman soldiers, Paul, and other prisoners when the ship carrying them crashed and wrecked.
Having 276 uninvited visitors was no small deal to a small island where the population was likely numbered at only a few thousand. The sparsely populated and isolated island was so insignificant that it was granted a municpium status by the Roman Government.
Instead of feeling fearful and troubled, the native people showed these intruders with “unusual kindness” and welcome despite the fact that they knew a good number of them were prisoners. They remained hospitable to them even though they reckoned Paul as a murderer when he was bitten by a viper.
Due to the harsh weather, Paul and the group stayed at this island for three months. Instead of feeling burdensome to one another, they continued to bring blessings to one another.
The natives provided the very much needed shelter and material needs to Paul and his traveling companions. Meanwhile, Paul blessed them with the healing of many with diseases and most of all, the Gospel of Christ.
According to the tradition, Publius became the first bishop following his conversion to Christianity. As of the latest survey, nearly the entire population of the island of Malta are Christians. What a blessed nation!
Jesus our Lord has promised his grace to anyone who is kind and hospitable to those he has sent. “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you visit me” (Mt 25:35-40).
Do you believe in God’s sovereignty and that there is no coincident in God’s Kingdom? Let’s be gracious to one another and practice kindness and hospitality to whomever the Lord has placed in our daily walks on any given day!
“Blessed are the merciful for they will be shown mercy” (Mt 5:7)
Questions to Ponder:
– Do you find it more difficult to welcome and be kind to certain people than others; if so, do you know why?
– Are you surprised by the hospitality shown by the Malta natives as it was quite clear that a good number of the uninvited visiting strangers were prisoners? Have you ever been at situations that you were in need of a helping hand from some strangers; how did that feel?
– Have you noticed that God has often interrupted your regular routines by placing strangers in your life who are in need of assistance – a homeless person, an aging lonely elderly, an awkward outcast, or a vulnerable wandering child; how did you usually respond, and how do you think our Lord wants you to respond?
