Paul, Ship Wreck to Caesar

Paul is ship wrecked on the island of Malta, but that won’t stop his journey to Rome. He WILL stand before Caesar and proclaim the gospel.

When we left Paul, he and all who were aboard the ship he sailed on, made it safely to shore. The storm is NOT over, and they have no way off the island, but they are safe because they listened to Paul. Let’s rejoin these soggy souls on the beach and see what God has in store for them.

Holy Spirit, help me to hear Your voice. Show me Your story. Direct my attention to what You would have me discover along the way.

♥ ♦ ♥

Julius is the last to leave the wreckage.  He stayed to ensure everyone got out safely. As he nears the beach, he sees men and women emerging out of the trees. They are moving towards those who lie exhausted on the beach. Julius cannot do anything to protect them from his position still out in the harbor. He hopes that his fellow soldiers notice the approaching people. He calls out to them, but the wind and waves steal his words.

Paul looks up as he feels a presence approaching him. He isn’t the least bit afraid. He knows that God would not spare their lives at sea just to have them killed on land. God still has a mission for Paul to complete in Rome.

The expression of the face of the man approaching Paul is one of concern. There is no hint of malice or danger behind the man’s warm brown eyes.

Paul looks at him and smiles. That smile is returned.

The man puts out his hands to help Paul to his feet. Paul is grateful for the offer and gladly accepts. Once he is on his feet, Paul says, “Thank you.”

The man inclines his head but doesn’t say a word.

All down the beach this is being repeated with the other passengers and crew. They are all also being ushered to a place further up the beach and under cover of the trees. Even Julius is met in the water and helped to this gathering place.

The men begin gathering wood for a fire. They use hand motions to encourage the passengers and crew to do the same. Everyone is scouring the area as one of the men starts a fire in the middle of the gathering place.

The fire warms all those gathered around it, drying the sea water from their clothing and offering hope. Paul brings an armload of brushwood for the fire. He tosses it in and poisonous snake leaps from the wood, driven by fear of death. The snake latches onto Paul’s hand.

The villagers see this and draw back. They quickly begin speaking to one another in a tongue that those who escaped the shipwreck don’t understand.

“This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, the goddess Justice has not allowed him to live” (Acts 28:4).

Paul looks at his hand and shakes the snake free. It falls into the fire where it is immediately burned up. Paul sits down beside Luke to enjoy the warmth. He is not blind to the villager’s reaction. He smiles and gives a shrug of his shoulders when they look his way.

The villages can’t take their eyes off Paul. They wait to see the tell tale signs. There is no swelling, shortness of breath, or even death. Nothing happens. Paul continues talking with Luke, Julius and Aristarchus.

While warming themselves, the captain uses hand signs to ask the natives where they are. The leader of this group understands what the captain is asking. He says one word; “Malta.”

With this knowledge the captain is able to more accurately judge their position. He realizes that, while they are on a trade route, it is not the busiest route. He is pretty sure that it will take time for them to be discovered. Strange as it sounds, even  to himself, after this storm he is NOT ready to jump back into the sea. Waiting out the winter here suits him just fine.

After an hour of watching Paul, the villagers realize that he is not going to die from his encounter with the snake. Their perception of him shifts. “He must be a god” they decide.

Once everyone is sufficiently recovered from their ordeal in the sea, the leader of the villagers motions for the group to follow him. Everyone follows him, without hesitation. All have learned that these people mean them no harm.

The leader takes them to an estate, owned by a man named Publius. He is the chief official of the island. As he interacts with traders, he speaks some of the Greek tongue.

“Welcome visitors” Publius says as he greets those from the ship. “Come, I will see to your needs.”

The captain and Julius speak for the crew and passengers. “Thank you for your hospitality” Julius replies. The captain motions for all his men to follow.

Publius is an excellent host. He graciously provides food for all the survivors and places for them to sleep. Julius and his soldiers watch over the prisoners in a separate area during the night.

For three days Publius shares the history of his island and its features with his guests. And Paul shares the gospel in return. On the third day of their stay, Publius discloses that his father is gravely ill.

“It is an illness that many who live here experience and quite a few do not survive.”

“Where is your father” asks Paul.

“He is in his room, being tended by servants.”

“Will you take me to him? I know that my God can restore him to health.”

“Please! If you can do anything, I will be forever grateful.”

Publius leads the way to his father’s room. He holds his arm out, indicating that Paul may enter.

“Thank you” Paul says as he passes into the room. “Lord God, I ask that You minister to this man today. Raise up his body to full health and restore him to his family.”

After praying, Paul steps over and lays his hands on Publius’ father. “In the name of Jesus, I command you to rise up.”

Publius’ father’s fever leaves him that instant. His eyes flutter open and he looks at Paul.

Paul reaches out his hand and helps the man to sit up. Publius rushes into the room and embraces his father.

“Thank you!” he cries over and over again.

The servants who witnessed this event hurry from the room. Within and hour, people from all over the island are bringing their sick for Paul for healing. Paul does not stop praying for the sick until the last one is restored to health.

From this moment on, Paul is given anything his heart desires, and then some. One family moves in with relatives so Paul and his friends can have a home to stay in of their own.

Julius remains with Paul while the other prisoners and guards move to an area of the island set aside for violent offenders. The captain and crew are shown where another crew is wintering their ship. The two crews quickly become great friends.

“May we sail with you after the winter is over?” asks the captain of the ruined ship. “Provided of course that you are going to Italy.”

“We are, and you may.”

Word is sent back to Julius and the other soldiers immediately. All will be ready when the time comes.

All those who are able to work, help the villagers in their daily tasks. Paul is right there among them, with Julius at his side. It has always been Paul’s custom to provide for his own needs.

It takes a bit of time, but Paul is able to share the gospel with the villagers as well. They welcome his words, even if they do not understand them all. The language barrier still presents challenges, but the Spirit of the Lord works without the need of words.

Three months pass before the seas are ripe for sailing again. Julius assembles all the passengers, including the prisoners, at the dock. The villagers gather around and present Paul with gifts of food and supplies for the journey.

“Please, come see us again” Publius says as Paul bids them all farewell.

“If the Lord allows it, I will.”

It takes little time to make the journey from Malta to Syracuse. This is the ship’s first stop on its trip to Italy. There is much cargo to unload and load after a productive winter on the island. Three days pass before the ship is underway again.

The winds are favorable and the next stop is Rhegium. This is only an overnight stop. The ship is ready bright an early the next day. A south wind makes this leg of the journey extremely short. It takes only a day to reach Puteoli.

In Puteoli, Paul finds Christian brothers and sisters. They welcome him with open arms.

“We had heard that you wanted to visit, but didn’t know when that would be. We are grateful that you made it!”

“I am grateful as well. The Lord has watched over us, but our journey was not without incident.”

“You will have to share the stories of your time on the seas.”

For a week, Paul and his friends spend time with the brothers, sharing stories of the things the Lord has done. While they visited, word was sent to the church in Rome of Paul’s arrival. Many of the believers travel south in hopes of meeting up with him.

Julius calls an end to the visit. “I have to deliver these prisoners to Rome. It’s time we set off.”

The trip north is done on foot and is not too difficult. Within a few days, they arrive at Forum of Appius. This town is also known as Three Taverns, as that is what the city boasts of.

There is a group waiting to welcome Paul as they arrive. Shouts go up throughout  the crowd and Paul’s face is transformed with a huge smile. He never expected this welcome, but it lifts his spirits.

“Brothers, sisters, I am honored that you came to meet me. I praise God for this good gift you have given me.”

“We will be with you the rest of the way to Rome. And we will stand by you from that day forward.”

The road is filled with people as Julius leads the ‘prisoners’ to Rome. Those guarded by the eight are turned over to the centurion on duty when they arrive in Rome. Julius originally carried letters from Festus and Agrippa, describing Paul’s situation, but they were lost during the ship wreck. He stands himself before the commander and pleads Paul’s case.

“If it were not for his appeal to Caesar, Governor Festus and King Agrippa would have released this man, as he has committed no crime worthy of imprisonment. His own people rose against him over a matter of belief. Paul’s appeal to Caesar is what preserved his life. I ask that leniency be given him regarding prison accommodations.”

“I have heard tell of his case. I am not prepared to release him, as you have pointed out, that his appeal is to Caesar. Yet Caesar is very busy and may not have time to hear his case for quite a while. In the meantime, he is to be held under house arrest. He will pay rent for these accommodations, or he can choose to be held in a cell. A guard will be stationed at all times. However, he may have as many visitors as desire to come to him. He may also have one or two stay with him on a temporary basis.”

“Where will this house be, my lord?” asks Julius.

“It is in the old quarter, just behind the barracks. It was the home of the former commander of the guard.”

“I believe I know it well. It is small but serviceable. I will tell Paul what his options are and take him there at once.”

Paul is thrilled by the arrangement and readily agrees to the proposed rent. Not only does he not have to live in a prison cell, but he can spread the gospel to EVERYONE who comes within earshot; including his guards. He starts with the Jewish leaders.

Three days after arriving at his new home, Paul sends word to all the Jewish synagogues.

“Brothers of Israel, please come and meet with me at the home where I am imprisoned. I ask this in the name of our God. I request your presence tomorrow at midday.”

The next day, the Jewish leaders from all over Rome assemble before the home of Paul. He is allowed no farther than his front door, so he addresses them from this position.

“My brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or against the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and wanted to release me, because I was not guilty of any crime deserving death. The Jews objected, so I was compelled to make an appeal to Caesar. I certainly did not intend to bring any charge against my own people. For this reason I have asked to see you and talk with you. It is because of the hope of Israel that I am bound with this chain” (Acts 28:17-20).

The leaders listening are confused. They haven’t heard anything from Judea regarding Paul. Though Paul speaks as if everyone should know his case.

“We have not received any letters from Judea concerning you, and none of our people who have come from there has reported or said anything bad about you. But we want to hear what your views are, for we know that people everywhere are talking against this sect” (Acts 28:21-22).

“I would be honored to be able to speak on this subject. But it will take some time to go through the whole of it. I suggest that we meet early in the morning and plan to remain late in the evening. I will, of course, provide for your needs.”

“That would be acceptable” they all agree.

“Let us meet on the first day of the week following this Sabbath.”

The group adjourns for now, with the promise of meeting again in two days, as tomorrow is the Sabbath. Paul prays during these two days for the Lord to give him exactly what to say. He is not afraid to preach the good news. He is praying more for his audience. He truly desires his Jewish brothers to accept the Lord Jesus as their savior.

Everyone arrives early in the day, ready to listen. Paul begins with his personal testimony and Jesus stopping him on the road to Damascus. He tells how the Lord appeared to him and instructed him in true understanding of the prophecies.

When Paul begins speaking of the Law of Moses and how Jesus fulfilled that law, he can feel ‘eyebrows’ raising throughout the crowd. He cannot stop. They need to hear all of it.

Paul shares the successes among the new Gentile churches and the Spirit of the Lord on both Jew and Gentile. Many have not even heard of the Spirit, so Paul spends time explaining Him.

“He is the Comforter promised by the Lord Jesus for His people; those who follow Him.”

Paul preaches EVERYTHING that the Spirit lays upon his heart. He continues to teach all day, yet sets a table for those who become hungry during the day. By the time evening falls and Paul falls silent, many believe what he has shared, but many others don’t.

The leaders begin to argue among themselves as to the truth of Paul’s statements. When discord erupts, Paul makes on final statement. It is a direct quote from the prophet Isaiah when he spoke for the Lord to the people of Israel.

“The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

“‘Go to this people and say, “You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.” For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

“Therefore I want you to know that God’s salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!” (Acts 28:25-28).

Those who refused to believe walk away in a huff. Those who accepted Paul’s words consider this last statement, but they leave as well. Paul watches the group disperse and prays for those who did appear to be listening.

Paul has now completed one of the major tasks the Lord brought him to Rome to do. Now it is time to turn his mind to the Gentiles.

(to be continued)

I’m going to stop here for the night. I want to be fresh when I get into the letters Paul wrote while in Rome. He was quite prolific!

I’m curious how Paul ‘paid rent’ for the house he was living in. Did the church send him money? Did he have family money? Did he have a ‘savings account’ somewhere? Or is it possible that his rent was an exchange agreement. Paul performed some kind of task in exchange for being able to live in this house. Maybe he ‘fixed it up’ during his time. I guess that is another question that I will have to wait to have answered. However it worked, God arranged it so Paul could have a large influence on the churches from where he was at.

Father God, I am amazed at Your preparations. Once again, You prepared the place for Paul to speak. You provided the way for him to go where his heart longed to be. You used him in EVERY situation; even while shipwrecked on an island.

Use me this way to please Lord. Let me be a blessing to all those around me. I want to serve wherever I am and share You with all my heart. Thank You for preparing this place for me to do that. Show me what comes next, each and every day.