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.
We were hiking in the mountains around Canmore, Canada. The goal was to reach the top of the waterfall. Steep slopes, slick stones, and high altitude conspired to make it a challenging hike. I don’t think I ever wanted to abandon the hike, even though I was near the limits of my physical abilities. I wanted to reach the top. We did make it. The view was beautiful. And the rest was welcomed. We were even greeted by a cute ground squirrel at the top.
My goal was to get to the top of the waterfall. I think Diane was more focused on enjoying the hike and the views. We both achieved both goals. It was a challenging and enjoyable hike.
I think of this and other challenges I’ve undertaken as I consider what is really happening with Paul and Luke as they head for Rome. On the one hand, their goal was certainly to get safely to Rome. Paul expresses his desire and goal to get to Rome in Romans 1:9-12, “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
So Paul’s goal in getting to Rome was far more than arriving safely there, more than being able to witness to the people there, but to impart spiritual gifts to the people there, to strengthen them, and be mutually encouraged by his and their faith. But that’s not the end of his desire. For he says in Romans 15:24, “I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.”
Paul didn’t want only to get to Rome, but to go on to Spain in order to preach the gospel there as well. Paul was singularly gifted and burdened with the mission mandate. He dedicated his life to bringing the Gospel to new lands and places, people and languages. He never lost sight of this mission. Even as he enjoyed the hospitality of Publius, or healed Publius’ father, waited three months before setting sail and arriving in Rome, his goal wasn’t just Rome. It was sharing the gospel. This he did all along the way. And you and I are beneficiaries of his dedication and God’s work through him.
On this day after Reformation Day, we can thank God for Luther, Luke, and Paul – all of whom proclaimed the reign and rule of Jesus Christ and who have shaped our faith through their witness. They didn’t lose sight of the goal. That goal was set by God whose goal it is that all people be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. God loved the world so much that he gave his Only Son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have eternal life. He continues to send people on mission to share that Good News. That is God’s ultimate goal, and it never changes no matter the path it takes.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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