SCRIPTURE: ACTS 27
PAUL SAILS FOR ROME (vs. 1-12)
Paul together with Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica and some other prisoners were handed over to a centurion named Julius who belonged to the Imperial Regiment. They boarded a ship from Adramyttium and sailed out along the coast of the province of Asia. The next day, they landed at Sidon. Julius allowed Paul to see his friends to provide for his needs. Then they sailed out again, passed through Cyprus, Cilicia, Pamphylia and landed at Myra in Lucia. Then,. they were transferred to an Alexandrian ship and sailed to the lee of Crete and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea.
Paul waned them the danger of their journey, but the centurion followed the advice of the pilot instead of listening to what Paul said. The majority also decided to sail on so that they could reach Phoenix in winter.
THE STORM (vs. 13-26)
A wind of hurricane force called the “northeaster” swept down and the ship was caught by the storm. The threw the cargo overboard but the storm continued raging making them lost hope of survival. The men had gone a long time without food. So Paul stood up and told them to keep their courage because no one will be lost except the ship will be destroyed. He told them that an angel of God appeared and told him that he must stand trial before Caesar and all the men who sail with him will be safe.
THE SHIPWRECK (vs. 27-44)
Paul said to the centurion and the men to stay with the ship. He also urged them all to eat. He promised them that not one of them will lose a single hair from his head. Then he took some bread and gave thanks to God, broke it and began to eat. There were 276 on board the ship. After they had eaten, they threw the grain into the sea to lighten the ship.
When daylight came, the ship struck a sandbar and ran aground. The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent any of them from swimming away and escaping. But the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way, everyone reached land in safety.
THOUGHTS:
Ships in ancient times head no compasses and navigated by the stars. Storms made sailing almost impossible and very dangerous. Since the ship’s captain and the owner of the ship did not want to spend the winder in Lasea, so they proceeded with their journey. But Paul reminded the crew that with God’s guidance, he had predicted this very problem So in the future, they listened to him and their lives were spared.
The soldiers would pay with their own lives if any other prisoners escaped. Thus, their instinctive reaction was to kill the prisoners so they would not get away. Julius, the officer was impressed with Paul and wanted to save his life. This act preserved Paul for his later ministry in Rome and fulfilled Paul’s prediction that all the people on the ship would be saved.