In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 27 and 28, there is a thrilling account of a shipwreck on the island of Malta. Paul the Apostle, along with other prisoners and crew members, was being transported by ship to Rome. As they sailed across the Mediterranean Sea, a violent storm arose. The winds howled, and the waves crashed against the ship, making it seem as if all hope was lost. The sailors, in their desperation, tried every means to save the vessel, but the storm was relentless.
After days of being tossed about by the tempestuous sea, the ship was driven towards the rocky shores of Malta. In the early morning, the sailors spotted the land and realized that they were about to be wrecked. They took desperate measures, throwing overboard the ship’s tackle and other heavy items in an attempt to lighten the load. As the ship neared the shore, it struck a sandbar, and the front of the ship was stuck fast, while the stern began to break apart.
The centurion in charge, fearing that the prisoners might escape in the chaos, was about to order the soldiers to kill them. But Paul, with his unwavering faith, stood up and said, ¡°Do not harm yourselves, for not a hair of your heads will perish.¡± He assured them that God had promised him that all on board would be saved, though the ship would be destroyed.
The soldiers then helped the passengers and crew to reach the shore safely, some on planks and others on pieces of the broken ship. When they finally set foot on the island of Malta, the local inhabitants showed them unusual kindness. They built a fire and welcomed the shipwrecked survivors.
While Paul was gathering wood for the fire, a poisonous snake bit him. The islanders, seeing this, thought he must be a murderer, and that divine justice was at work. But Paul shook off the snake into the fire and suffered no harm. This act amazed the islanders, and they began to regard him as a god. Paul then used this opportunity to preach the gospel, and many on the island were healed and converted.
This shipwreck on Malta is not just a story of survival against the odds; it is a testament to the power of faith and the protection of God. Paul’s unwavering trust in God’s promise and his courage in the face of danger serve as an inspiration to believers, reminding them that even in the most perilous situations, God is with them.