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Context No. 3714 of 4322 · Acts

Context · Reflection

Acts 28:7-16: in context

7Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and courteously entertained us for three days. 8The father of Publius lay sick of fever and dysentery. Paul entered in to him, prayed, and laying his hands on him, healed him. 9Then when this was done, the rest also who had diseases in the island came and were cured. 10They also honored us with many honors; and when we sailed, they put on board the things that we needed. 11After three months, we set sail in a ship of Alexandria which had wintered in the island, whose figurehead was “The Twin Brothers.” 12Touching at Syracuse, we stayed there three days. 13From there we circled around and arrived at Rhegium. After one day, a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli, 14where we found brothers, and were entreated to stay with them for seven days. So we came to Rome. 15From there the brothers, when they heard of us, came to meet us as far as The Market of Appius and The Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

Shipwrecked on Malta, Paul, though a prisoner, becomes a channel of God's healing. He prays for the sick father of the island's chief man, who is cured, and then for many others who come and are healed. Even in chains and hardship, Paul's ministry goes on, and God works through him.

And then, as he finally nears Rome after so long a journey, a moving detail: the believers there, hearing he was coming, travel out to meet him, and when Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. After shipwreck, imprisonment, and a long, weary road, the simple sight of fellow believers coming to greet him lifts his spirit; he thanks God and finds fresh courage. There is something precious here about Christian fellowship: the encouragement of brothers and sisters can renew our courage in hard times. Even the great apostle Paul was strengthened by the presence of God's people who came out to meet him.

Do I recognize how the encouragement of fellow believers can renew my courage in hard times, and am I ready to be that encouragement to others on their weary road?

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