Acts 28:1-14 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.… Observe here — I. THE NATURE AND REWARDS OF HOSPITALITY. It is a comfort to find that all races do not art the part of plunderers. This event occurred before the civilising influences of Christianity had been felt. 1. Hospitality is called forth by misfortune. A feast spread for those who daily sit at one is little worth as a token of regard. It is all well enough to bid our rich neighbours now and then, if not thinking thereby to show a noteworthy virtue. But the world is full of the wretched and the hungry. Stranded at our very doors we cannot but see them. These, and not the full, elicit everything that deserves to be known as charity. 2. The hospitable provides for the needy of what he himself has. In this instance it was the cheering, invigorating warmth of a great fire, and the gathering of the drenched and shivering castaways around it. Afterwards, it was doubtless the bringing food and clothing, and providing shelter. The grace of hospitality is within the exercise of all. Few homes are so barren that from them relief may not go forth to brighten some wan face, some famished body, some cheerless spirit. The street gamin, sharing his crust and tattered blanket with his mate, who is not so rich, illustrates the virtue. It is an old proverb, "When one poor man relieves another, God Himself laughs for joy." 3. Hospitality is bestowal without thought of return. It is self-forgetful. What gain could these islanders expect from the impoverished mariners? The fact of inability to repay begets in the donor the greatest satisfaction. Jesus pointed out, "those who cannot recompense thee," for us to seek with saving offerings. 4. There are, however, rewards in waiting for all who obey the noble prompting. The father of the governor was seriously ill. Paul, hearing of it, went to him with remedies of which no medical school knew. The cure was immediate and complete. The news spread. The diseased from every quarter flocked about the wonder worker, and went away healed. To save the ill-fated boat's company was to save themselves, though ignorantly. So always, by methods we could never predict, the return for any deed of real hospitality is made. The cup of cold water given in a disciple's name, insures the reward. II. THE FOLLY OF HUMAN JUDGMENT. A viper fastens on to the apostle's hands, "He is a murderer," say the bystanders, "No, see he shakes it off unhurt — he is a god." People are still under the impression that signal calamity finds its deserving victim, and ask, "What has he done to merit it?" Equally true is it, when by some unparalleled act one seems to be lifted out of the sphere of ordinary life, the multitudes are ready to bow down before him. The successful general, politician, merchant, scholar, is gazed at as if the secret of his mastery lay in supernatural gifts. The mistake of trusting the common opinion is plain. We rely more than we know upon our prejudices. Our tribunals are seldom fair. Often the impartial verdict of history shows how fallible the earlier judgment was. Hence modesty, rather than assurance, is becoming when we pronounce upon another's doing or purpose, when all the details have not been open to us. (D. S. Clark.) Parallel Verses KJV: And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita.WEB: When we had escaped, then they learned that the island was called Malta. |
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