Beloved, I am glad to share with you today the above theme from Acts 27:1. Indeed, in order to prevent the spread of the Gospel, the Enemy pushed men against Paul. He now uses natural obstacles to block his way. Many Christians resemble the sailboat, because their walk depends on the wind blowing. If it is the “noon” one that pushes them gently, everything is fine; they raise anchor full of courage (Acts 27:13). But does it turn to become opposite, here they are sailing “slowly”, “with difficulty”, are no longer able to move forward (Acts 27:7-8) and seek here and there human shelters from their difficulties. Finally, when the hurricane wind of a great test occurs, they can no longer hold and are swept adrift (Acts 27:15). The motorboat continues its journey in all weathers. Let us move by an active and firm faith, so we always advance towards the goal, in spite of all the storms!
So, while benevolent to his prisoner, the centurion had relied more on the captain of the ship than on what Paul said (Acts 27:11). Do we not frequently place more trust in the counsel and opinion of men than in the guidance of the Word and the Holy Spirit? And this for our greatest pity:”That is why Paul warns others, saying: O men, I see that navigation will not be without peril and without much damage, not only for the cargo and for the ship, but also for our people.” (Acts 27:10). And Paul is as calm in the midst of the storm as he is in front of governors and kings.
For the hurricane does not prevent him from hearing the voice of the God to whom he is and whom heserves: “An angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve appeared to me that night, and said to me: Paul, do not fear; you must appear before Caesar, and behold, God has given you all who sail with you(Acts 27:23-24). While in the trial men often show the worst selfishness, the dear apostle thinks of the salvation of his fellow travelers. He reassures them with the Word of His God, but exhorts them to take food, not without giving thanks before all (1 Tim 4:1-5). Thus, after many adventures and the loss of the ship, they all arrive safely at the desired port (Ps 107:23-32).
Therefore, we can see in this vessel, the toy of turmoil, the image of the Church here on earth. Indeed, having left in favorable weather, she soon encountered the wind of trials and persecutions that Satan raised against her. The lack of food, a period of deep moral darkness, the resort to all kinds of prudent dispositions, all happened because the voice of the apostles (in the Word) was not listened to. But, the day is approaching and with it the final shipwreck of professing Christianity (the ship). And the Lord knows those who are His in this Church which claims his name. For none will be lost of those whom the Father has given Him (2 Tim 2:19-21; Jn 17:11-16).
For the sailors who had as their profession all that related to the operation and maintenance of a ship therefore had the responsibility of the boat; it was up to them to do their service. That’s why Paul enjoins them to stay on board. For God can perform miracles when He finds it appropriate; but as long as we have at our disposal the means He has given us to use it, we must use it. The same goes for food. For a man cannot live without eating, and God has provided the food he needs. As it was not lacking in this ship, they had to consume it, it is likely that, coming from Alexandria in Egypt, it carried wheat (Acts 27:38). We are not saying that God keeps us when we expose ourselves to danger. For if it is out of obedience that we have to do so, we can count on God without fear. Indeed, the Lord exhorts us not to worry about life, what we will eat or drink, or what we will be clothed in; our Father knows that we need these things, and He will provide for them (Mat 6:24-34). But how does it do it? Normally it is through the work of our hands.
For we cannot rely on God and do nothing. If he deems it appropriate to take away our work or the ability to work, we must rely on his fidelity; for he will intervene by his means to Him. And it is good to be exercised to depend on Him alone by first seeking His kingdom and righteousness, as the Lord says in the passages quoted above. Paul was therefore right to say, in exhorting the sailors to take food, that it was necessary for their preservation, since God preserves his creatures by providing them with the food and the means to obtain them.
When Paul had exhorted to eat, he took bread and gave thanks to God before all; and, having broken it, he began to eat. And having all taken courage, they too took food. “Now we were in all in the ship two hundred and seventy-six people” (Acts 27:35-37). Then they threw the wheat into the sea to lighten the building. When the day came, they found themselves in front of a land they did not know. They saw a bay, bordered by a beach on which they resolved to ground the ship if possible.
The following verses have been compiled for your edification and grouped together for your better understanding.
- Centurions
Mt 8:5 As Jesus entered Capernaum, a center approached him; Mt 27:54 The centurer and those who were with him to guard Jesus, having seen the earthquake and what had just happened, were seized with great fear, and said: Surely this man was the Son of God. Mk 15:39:44 The centurn, who was in front of Jesus, seeing that he had expired in this way, said: Surely this man was the Son of God. 44 Pilate was astonished that he had died so soon; brought the centurer and asked him if he had been dead for a long time. Acts 10:1 There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurer in the so-called Italian cohort. Acts 22:25 When he had been exposed to the whip, Paul said to the centurer who was present: Are you allowed to beat a Roman citizen with yards, who is not even condemned? Acts 23:17 Paul called one of the centeniers, and said, Lead this young man to the tribune, for he has something to bring him. Acts 27:11 The centurion listened to the pilot and the ship’s boss rather than Paul’s words.
- Ships
Nb 24:24 But ships will come from Kittim, They will humiliate the Assyrian, they will humiliate the Hebrew; And he too will be destroyed. 1 Kings 9:26 King Solomon built ships at Etsjon Guéber, near Eloth, on the shores of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. 1 R 22:49 Jehoshaphat built ships from Tarsis to go to Ophir to fetch gold; but he did not go there, because the ships broke at Etsjon Guéber. 2 Ch 8:18 And Huram sent him through his servants ships and servants who knew the sea. They went with Solomon’s servants to Ophir, and they took four hundred and fifty golden talents there, which they brought to King Solomon. 2 Ch 9:21 For the king had ships of Tarsis sailing with the servants of Huram; and every three years the ships of Tarsis arrived, bringing gold and silver, ivory, monkeys, and peacocks. 2 Ch 20:36 He joined forces with him to build ships to go to Tarsis, and they made the ships to Etsjon Guéber. Isa 60:9 For the islands hope in me, And the ships of Tarsis are in the lead, To bring back from afar your children, With their money and gold, Because of the name of the Lord, your God, of the Holy One of Israel who glorifies you. Jon 1:3 And Jonah rose to flee to Tarsis, far from the face of the Lord. He went down to Japho, and found a ship going to Tarsis; he paid the price of the transport, and embarked to go with the passengers to Tarsis, far from the face of the Lord. Acts 20:13 For us, we preceded Paul on the ship, and set sail for Assos, where we had agreed to take him back, because he had to make the road on foot. Acts 27:2:41 We boarded a ship of Adramytte, which was to rub shoulders with Asia, and we set out, having with us Aristarchus, Macedonian of Thessaloniki. 41 But they encountered a tongue of land, where they grounded the ship; and the bow, having engaged, remained motionless, while the stern was broken by the violence of the waves.
- Courtesy
Acts 27:3 The next day we approached Sidon; and Julius, who treated Paul kindly, allowed him to go to his friends and receive their care. Acts 28:7 There were, in the vicinity, lands belonging to the main character of the island, named Publius, who received us and lodged us for three days in the most friendly way. Col 4:6 May your word always be accompanied by grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to respond to each one. 1 P 3:8 Finally, be all animated by the same thoughts and feelings, full of brotherly love, compassion, humility.
- Cyprus
Acts 4:36 Joseph, nicknamed by the apostles Barnabas, which means son of exhortation, Levite, originally from Cyprus; Acts 11:19 Those who had been scattered by stephen’s persecution went as far as Phoenicia, the island of Cyprus, and Antioch, proclaiming the word only to the Jews. Acts 13:4 Barnabas and Saul, sent by the Holy Spirit, descended to Seleucia, and from there they sailed for the island of Cyprus. Acts 15:39 This dissent was sharp enough to cause them to separate from each other. And Barnabas, taking Mark with him, sailed for the island of Cyprus. Acts 21:3 When we were in sight of the island of Cyprus, we left it on the left, continuing our way to the side of Syria, and we approached Tyre, where the ship was to unload its cargo. Acts 27.4 From there we went along the island of Cyprus, because the winds were opposite.
From all the above, we note thatPaul’s exhortations provide us with a teaching, both those relating to the sailors who were to remain in the ship for the salvation of all, and those concerning the need to take food. Then the Lord God places at the disposal of each one the means of existence and conservation. To do this, they cut the cables of the anchors and left the rudder free, then put in the wind the sail of artimon (the one that is the most backward). Thus, pushed by the waves towards the coast, the ship ran aground. The bow engaged in the beach remained motionless, while the stern broke. Fearing that the prisoners would flee, the soldiers offered to kill them; but the centurion, wanting to save Paul, prevented them from doing so. He ordered those who knew how to swim to throw themselves first into the sea to reach the land; others to use planks and debris from the ship. Thus, all of them came ashore safe and sound, as Paul had told them. That is why, moved by an active and firm faith, we must always move forward in this way towards the goal, in spite of all the storms! Our prayers are with you all.
PRAYER OF ACCEPTANCE OF JESUS CHRIST AS LORD AND PERSONAL SAVIOR
I now invite every person who wants to become a new creation by walking in the truth, to pray with me the following prayer:
Lord Jesus, I have long walked in the lusts of the world ignoring your love for humans. I admit to having sinned against you and ask your forgiveness for all my sins, because today I have decided to give you my life by taking you as Lord and personal Savior. I recognize that you died on the cross of Calvary and rose from the dead for me.
I am now saved and born again by the power of the Holy Spirit. Lead me every day to the eternal life that you give to all who obey your Word. Reveal yourself to me and strengthen my heart and faith, so that your light may be shining in my life right now.
Thank you Lord Jesus for accepting me into your divine family, so that I may also contemplate the wonders of your kingdom.
I will now choose a nearby watering point to baptize myself by immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
All adoration, power and glory are yours, now and forever and ever. Amen!
I would be happy to respond to any questions and comments you may have, before sharing with you tomorrow on “Paul in Malta, and from Malta to Rome. “
May the Lord Jesus Christ bless you abundantly.
David Feze, Servant of the Almighty God.