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.
I was miserable. My first class in my Doctor of Ministry degree and I had laryngitis. If you know me, you know I like to engage in the class discussions. I sit on the front row. I ask questions. I answer questions. I love to engage fully. But I had laryngitis! I couldn’t speak. Frustrated. Disappointed.
At the break the professor offered to pray for people. So, naturally, I went forward to ask for prayers for my cold. When we spoke with me he inquired about my limp. He saw that I had a noticeable limp. He said, “I’m more concerned about your hip than I am about your head cold.” So was I.
Before I knew what was happening, he had me sitting in a chair, holding my feet out in front of me, and told me one leg was longer than the other. Then he said – loudly, “Anyone want to see the Lord lengthen a leg?” What was I to do? My feet were in his hands. So as people gathered around I sat – feet out front, resting on his open palms. “In the name of Jesus,” he said, “I command this leg to grow.” And. It. Did.
I felt my leg grow and saw my foot move outward. I believe it was a lesson from God about his power, and the healing ministry of the church.
The first hospitals were opened by Christians. Early Christians took newborn children who had been abandoned in the streets into their homes. Paul and the other Apostles healed people. Jesus’ ministry was one of healing diseases, casting out demons, and freeing guilty consciences.
When Paul visited Publius’ father and healed him, he was carrying on Jesus’ ministry and setting the compass for all of Jesus’ followers. We may not be able to heal in the same way Paul did, but we can lay hands on people, praying for them, asking God to heal them. James writes that this ministry of the church is to be exercised by the elders by anointing with oil, confessing sins, and offering prayer (cf. James 5:13-17).
Two things I have learned as I’ve studied this important ministry. We don’t have to say, “If it be your will,” when we pray for someone to be healed.. It is God’s will to heal all people. Some will be healed miraculously and immediately. Some medically over time. Some mercifully on the day of the resurrection of all flesh. And when you pray for someone and they are healed immediately it is a glorious moment for them and for the Kingdom. But even if it’s not immediate, people are blessed by the loving care and appropriate touch of a brother or sister in Christ.
Next time you have the opportunity to pray for someone to be healed, leave the timing up to God and do so with the confidence of his good will to heal. He’s really good at it.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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