Delivered From A Poisonous Snake

Acts 28:1-11

After two weeks caught in the jaws of a hurricane, everyone on the ship had given up hope of surviving. Sensing they were close to land, they dropped anchor and waited for morning, when the spotted a small estuary that might provide a safe landing. In the attempt to land, they were grounded and the waves destroyed the ship, but they all got safely to shore.

“And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold.” (Acts 28:1-2)

Weakened by two weeks of not eating, the swim through wind whipped winter seas would have been exhausting, and the cold and torrential rain that follows a hurricane could well have caused the death of many survivors from hypothermia. The people of the island were not very sophisticated or refined, but they were very concerned for the wellbeing of the castaways. Too often sophistication is just a manifestation of selfishness and self absorption.

Paul did not sit and glory in being served, but actively began gathering wood and helping out where he could, understanding the concept of ministering or meeting the needs of others.

“And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live.” (Acts 28:3-4)

The people of the island assumed, like many today, that when something bad happened, God was punishing the individual for some thing. In their mind it was obvious Paul had done some terrible thing, and the hurricane had been an attempt by the gods to kill him. When it failed, they sent a poisonous snake to catch him off guard. It is shocking how prevalent this idea is among so called “Christians”. If they were like the Navajos, these people probably spent a lot of effort trying to appease the gods whenever something went wrong. Paul simply ignored the incident.

“And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.” (Acts 28:5-6)

Jesus declared that those who believed in him would do such things in Mark 16:17-18. “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” Paul had not been handling the snake to impress the people but had been bitten in the process of gathering wood. Spirit filled men do not try to impress others. They simply trust God to do what needs to be done. It is much different than most attempts to show spiritual power today.

Unspiritual people, attribute the power to man instead. When Paul was not affected by the snake bite, the islanders concluded that the hurricane must be some sort of power struggle between the gods and that Paul was too strong for the others to get to him. Such belief is often referred to in Greek mythology.

“In the same quarters were possessions of the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us, and lodged us three days courteously. And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.” (Acts 28:7-8)

Publius’ father apparently had some kind of lung infection such as pneumonia or tuberculosis that was causing bleeding in his lungs, resulting in a high fever and a bloody froth at his mouth and nose. It was unlikely he would recover from such a severe case. After Paul prayed and laid hands on him he was obviously healed, able to breath freely and with no fever.

“So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary.” (Acts 28:9-10)

You can imagine the respect and attention Paul received as people began to come to him for help. They demonstrated their respect by giving and sharing what Paul and his companions needed because they appreciated what he was doing and teaching. It is a typical response of people who are experiencing god’s power. When we have to demand people give, there is a problem. Paul and the ship’s company spent three months on the island before it was safe to resume their journey.

“And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux.” (Acts 28:11)

Luke notes that the ship they sailed on was based in Alexandria, Egypt, but the figurehead was of the twin sons of the Roman god, Jupiter, Castor and Pollux. It had spent the winter in port on the island, taking no chances of being caught in a storm like the one that destroyed the ship Paul had been on.