Having been shipwrecked, the Apostle Paul finds himself on the Mediterranean island of Malta. It is full of what the Greeks called “barbarians.” This pejorative label was applied because the Greeks could not understand their babbling tongue, and saw their behavior as uncivilized, primitive, and dangerous. So when Paul and all the others onboard the ship with him are beached on the island full of barbarians, everyone is expecting hostility and conflict.
But in fact, just the opposite happens. They are warmly greeted and shown surprising hospitality. In fact, it’s because of the barbarians that Paul and his mates survived. And here’s what’s amazing, the Gospel powerfully takes over as the Maltese people respond to the Good News of Jesus. Can you believe it? The Gospel is even for barbarians! Jesus is not just Savior of the Jews and the Greeks, he can save even the people that everyone thinks are beyond the pale—barbarians!
This is the amazingly Good News of Jesus: that all people can be reconciled to God because of what He’s done. No matter who you are, no matter what you’ve done, no matter what’s been done to you, if you come to Jesus in repentance and faith, you too can be part of the family of God! Because you’re loved, more than you know
