The Essential Question (Part 10): Paul's Journey to RomeSample

Ministry Along the Way

Prepare: Think of the people who have been the kindest and hospitable to you in your life. Take a few minutes to thank God for their ministry to you. Then pray that God will bless them.

Read: Acts 28:1-10

Reflect: When I was in high school, our family took a car trip from Maryland to Massachusetts to be with relatives one Thanksgiving. An early snowstorm moved in during the drive, and we had to spend an unplanned night in Connecticut. While we were stranded in a roadside motel, my father took lots of Super 8 movies of me and my siblings frolicking in the snow. Today, whenever we watch those home movies, we're all reminded of the beautiful time we had along the way.

In a sense, this passage is like Luke's home movies of an unplanned stay for Paul and his companions on the island of Malta. As it turned out, it was a positive experience because the islanders showed them "unusual kindness" (28:2). Publius set the tone for those under his authority with his instinct for hospitality. Is that what outsiders experience when they walk into your church--unusual kindness and hospitality? If we want to make a difference for God today, perhaps that's where we need to begin.

But the most striking thing about the stay on Malta is how Paul had opportunities for ministry along the way. Of course, his main objective was Rome, the most important city in the world, where he was planning to witness for Christ boldly. With that on his mind, Paul could have said, "I've just been through a stressful few days, and I need my rest if I'm going to preach in Rome. I don't have time for random ministry now." But he didn't react that way. Paul took time to heal the father of Publius (28:8), which led to a wider healing ministry on the island.

We must never forget that ministry along the way is just as important as accomplishing a grand mission objective. When we think about the life of Jesus, most of what he did was ministry along the way. His main objective was to die on the cross for the sins of the world. But along the way, he reached out to thousands of random, hurting people. That's what the gospel accounts are all about.

Let's not miss the role of prayer in Paul's ministry. From other parts of Acts, we know that God had given Paul a special ability to heal others (19:11-12). Even so, he took time in this instance to pray first. Perhaps he needed insight into the ailing man's real condition. Or maybe Paul wanted to get a sense of God's intention for Publius's father. Either way, prayer was the essential first step. This reminds us that the purpose of prayer in ministry is not just to ask God to act, although that's part of it. It's also to make sure we align with God's agenda before we attempt great things for him.

One last detail from Luke's home movie is worth replaying: Paul himself received dramatic healing (28:3-6). It's a reminder that when we are faithfully serving God, we can trust him to take care of us in both our big plans and our unplanned ministry along the way.

Apply: Jot down a few opportunities for ministry along the way that you are likely to have in the next week or so. Ask God to help you recognize them and be his servant in these situations.