Jan | 22 | The leashing of Castor and Pollux

VICTORY

The leashing of Castor and Pollux

Acts 28:1-6
Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. NKJV

Paul is a prisoner on his way to Rome. His watery prison, that shaking ship of a jail has most recently been through an horrific storm and Paul, escaping being put to death on board the salt spray and vomit covered wood splitting hull, has recently, together with the ship been smashed in pieces upon the black rocks of Malta’s open jawed shores. The devil has been at work here and he ‘aint finished yet.

 Just when you think the enemy has spent his last bullet, there often times comes the very bad twist at the end of the film that has what looks like a final happy ending. This is life and the obedient Christian workers life in particular. May I also say, that this serpent from the rising fire, is a also picture of the devil himself biting the hands of the messenger of God who comes as prisoner, yes, comes wet with a present salvation, utterly destitute of this worlds goods and on his way to judgment. These messengers of the Most High will always be attacked; viciously, repeatedly and from every angle, and their bodies shall bear those marks, as will their wardrobe, their family life and their bank account. Suspect those smarty, well suited, and so called apostles. Yes, I tell you, check underneath the bonnet of those bed reclined old ladies, those fat cows of Bashaan, and you shall surely find some fangs: “All the better to eat you with my dear.”

The devil is unrelenting here and so must we be too. Look now at our text at four great pictures for us today:

First, the apostle smarts at the surprise attack as the devil fastens upon the object of those very appendages, which shall surely be used to bless so many. Look at that! What the devil fears he attacks. What will bring the coming blessing, the devil fastens onto to poison and to atrophy. Do not be surprised at a double fanged attack, especially when you begin to generate some heat.

Secondly, look at how the apostle responds. He shakes it off. Just like in Luke 9:5 where the dust off a rejected messengers feet is also shaken off, wiped off, vigorously brushed away back to the ground with irritated and cleansing strokes full of visual intent, the serpent here is also shaken off, not onto the ground through where it might attack both him and others again; not into the sea to drown, for that judgment will not be repeated, but he is shaken off into the fire, where that attacking serpent so rightfully belongs. So shall each messenger of God deal with the viperous attacks of the enemy.

Thirdly, look now at the blessing that came through those fang-punctured hands. Big chief Publius, fevered by a bloody flux is healed and along with him a great many more from the island who came to be healed.

Fourthly, look now how that all necessary things which were lost in the storm, where restored to them by grateful and healed people.

Fithly, see how Castor and Pollux, the Gemini twins of the underworld are leashed like dogs to pull the watery sledge of Paul onward to His divine destination.

I tell you today dear hearts: BE UNRELENTING!

Listen:- And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him. So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the island, came, and were healed: Who also honoured us with many honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were necessary. And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. ……. And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him. Acts 28:8-12 &16 KJV

Pray: - Father, turn us all into movers and shakers, into undaunted history makers at the end of all these lightening fired days. Amen and amen.

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