"Notable Natives"

EPISODE 146

Learn from Island Living

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If you were stuck on a desert island, what three items would you bring? It's a challenging question! But looking to Paul's island shipwreck in Acts 28, let's frame the question a bit differently. "If you were stuck on a desert island, what three qualities would you want to find in the natives?"

Warm & Welcoming

"After we were brought safely through, we then learned that the island was called Malta. 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" (Acts 28:1-2).

Especially in times of uncertainty and trouble, finding someone who's "unusually kind" can be incredibly comforting. While it's easy to live in fear of outsiders, unsure and suspicious, the natives rolled out the red carpet for these shipwrecked prisoners. Hospitality is one of the marks of Christ's disciples — not only to those we know but especially to those we don't (Heb. 13:2).

So, how warm and welcoming are you to those in need all around you?

Uphold Justice

"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. 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"" (Acts 28:3-4).

These natives had a basic understanding of the difference between right and wrong. And they suspected Paul's sudden snake-bite was punishment for his "crimes." Sure, they sounded pretty superstitious, at least they believed in the concept of good and evil. Sadly, the same can't be said for everyone, since so many today get the two mixed up (Isa. 5:20). But what about you?

Do you recognize evil for what it is, and courageously call it out when it's happening?

Willing to Change

"He, however, shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. 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" (Acts 28:5-6).

Like we're prone to do, they jumped to conclusions about Paul. But after seeing the evidence, they changed their minds! Sure, they were misguided in calling him a "god," but they did something we're often unwilling to do — reconsider our assumptions.

So, when was the last time you reconsidered the evidence behind your beliefs?

May God help us learn a few lessons from these natives of Malta. And let's show hospitality, uphold justice, and be willing to change when necessary.