On the Acts of the Apostles

Paul's Servant Attitude.

On reading the description of their arrival in Malta, I was struck this time with how much of a servant Paul is. Paul had been in prison for at least the last two years, by now around three. Although he was treated kindly by the centurion, we can hardly think he was in prime condition. Likely he was worse-off than the soldiers and sailors. All of them have just been through 14 days of storms, without real food, in cool weather, without knowledge of where they are. Paul is better off though in some ways, because he has comfort in the Lord's promises.

When they crash and after a swim arrive on Malta, we are told the natives came, took them in and made a fire. The natives are doing that, and Paul, instead of sighing and sitting down on dry ground, gathers wood and is helping. This is even with Paul knowing that if they had followed his advice they wouldn't be there, and also knowing that if he hadn't been on board, God may not have saved the ship. That kind of service to his shipmates doesn't come from obligation, but from an all-encompasing deep love of God. Oh that it would be the same for us - a deep love for others above ourselves in dramatic ways coming from our love of the Father.