Paul

November 29

Acts 28:11-16, 30-31

Paul, in Rome at last

The people living on the island of Malta—where Paul had been shipwrecked—were kind and helpful. They made a fire on the beach where the survivors could warm themselves, and they also gave them food. After three months, those who had been shipwrecked boarded a ship heading for Rome.

When Paul arrived in Rome, he was allowed to live in a house with a soldier guarding him. Paul lived in the house for two years and welcomed all those who came to see him. Although he was not allowed to leave the house, he was able to preach about the kingdom of God and teach those who came to hear more about Jesus.

Did God really want Paul to spend so many years in prison?

Although the house where Paul lived for two years was guarded day and night, it was a lot better than the other prisons he had been in. Paul had spent many years in prison, not because he had done something wrong, but because he told others about Jesus.

You may think that Paul could have reached many more people if he didn’t have to ‘waste’ those years sitting in jail. But Paul saw it differently, and this is what he said; “Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly” (Philippians 1:14). Now it was no longer just Paul preaching. Because of his courage and faith, many others started speaking out for Jesus.

And while Paul was in prison, he wasn’t just sitting there doing nothing. Because he couldn’t get around to visit the churches, he wrote letters to them and to his friends. These letters have become part of the Bible; and now, everyone can read the words of Paul and be blessed by the deeper truths of our faith.

Verse for today

(Paul said), “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” Colossians 4:3