Murderer or God?

ACTS IN 90 DAYS

A reading for Monday, October 5, 2020: Acts 28: 1-10.

"...they changed their minds and began to say that he was a god."

The people of Malta were confused by Paul and had no idea what to do with him. In one moment they thought he was a murderer and in the next a god. Notice the indicator of whether or not he was ultimate evil or ultimate good is a snake, the same creature that tempts Adam and Eve to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It's no accident, but instead an image of the Garden of Eden.

Even with all this, Paul continues to serve the mission of Jesus Christ in healing Publius' father. He cures him of his illness by praying and laying hands on him. In the end, Paul has offered a clear witness to the power and the grace of Almighty God on Malta.

We're almost to Rome, and the end of the book of Acts. In Paul and the others, God is still acting through the power and the presence of Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God.