After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 2 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. 3 When Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and put them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat and fastened on his hand. 4 When the native people saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer. Though he has escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live.” 5 He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 6 They were waiting for him to swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But when they had waited a long time and saw no misfortune come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
7 Now in the neighborhood of that place were lands belonging to the chief man of the island, named Publius, who received us and entertained us hospitably for three days. 8 It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him, healed him. 9 And when this had taken place, the rest of the people on the island who had diseases also came and were cured. 10 They also honored us greatly, and when we were about to sail, they put on board whatever we needed.
11 After three months we set sail in a ship that had wintered in the island, a ship of Alexandria, with the twin gods as a figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed there for three days. 13 And from there we made a circuit and arrived at Rhegium. And after one day a south wind sprang up, and on the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and were invited to stay with them for seven days. And so we came to Rome. 15 And the brothers there, when they heard about us, came as far as the Forum of Appius and Three Taverns to meet us. On seeing them, Paul thanked God and took courage. 16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him.
He never seems to smile. Once in a while I am able to get behind his severe facade, but most often he seems angry and bitter. I wonder what his story is. Maybe one day I’ll be able to hear it. But for now I mostly wait. He seems not to want to engage on any personal level.
He is friendly and gregarious. He always has a good word for me. Once in a while he’ll share an insight or offer advice – but always with respect and the caveat that I don’t have to take his word for it. I’ve had the opportunity to hear a bit of his story. A good bit of pain. No small amount of struggle.
I don’t know why one seems bitter and brittle while the other is open and friendly. But I do know we all have stories. Experiences along the way have shaped us. We draw conclusions about others based on our experiences. Sometimes we’re right. Other times, we miss the mark.
When Paul and his boat-mates arrive in Malta, the people there draw conclusions about him. Two drastically different conclusions to be precise. On first brush they conclude that he is a murderer. When Paul was bitten by the snake, they concluded that although he had escaped from the shipwreck at sea, now “Justice” has caught up with him. The Greek, “δίκη” (dikē) seems possibly to refer to the Greek goddess of justice. How wrong they were. Paul was not being punished by their goddess. She is no true god. Then, when Paul doesn’t swell up and die, they conclude that he was a god! Wrong again. Paul is no god. He is a servant of the Most High God, and his Son, Jesus Christ.
What wrong conclusion have we drawn? About a cranky neighbor? About an uncooperative co-worker? About a constantly-happy friend? About a smug church member? About a stern pastor? We may or may not be right about their anger, fear, bitterness, joy or arrogance.
But let’s remember this absolute truth: God sees through every mask and veil. He knows us for who we are. And he loves us. Truly. Ne also loves that cranky neighbor, uncooperative co-worker, constantly-happy friend, and even that stern pastor. He loves you. Let’s keep that in mind as we relate to those we meet today.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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