The Book of Acts Chapter 27
Originally posted Monday, June 9, 2008
General Comment: The chapter reads like a
good Herman Melville novel or any number of tales told by sea worn whalers
out of New Bedford. Luke has assembled the details of this sea going saga along
a single premise: Paul's trust in God's faithfulness. He does not waver nor
does he doubt that God will accomplish the fulfillment of Paul's mission to
bring the Gospel to Rome, "to the ends of the earth." Paul's last
letter was written to the Church in Rome, a Church he had not founded or
visited. In it he asked for the prayers of the people that he would safely
be delivered to them, that he might share with them his experiences of
almost three decades as one who "ran before the Lord." We may have
difficulty identifying with such a sense of mission and the unflinching trust
that God would see it through with Paul. We are self-reliant. We are taught to
consider success as the product of our own decisions and efforts, plus a
little luck. The U turns and blind corners are too pervasive in life to let
down our guard. Paul had no Pollyanna view of life but he did have the dogged
capacity to trust God no matter the outcome. This is the trust born of
faith and faith is the still small voice that wafts up from the depth of one's
soul and whispers, "No matter what, I am with you." Paul always
listened to that voice.
Acts Chapter 27:1-12 Paul
Sails for Rome
Paul's
final journey is now under way. Along with a number of other prisoners he
is in the charge of the Centurion Julius of the Augustan Band (an honorary
title given to groups guarding the Emperor and/or Procurators such as Festus).
The ship was heading home in the Mysia district of Asia (Minor) and sailed
the coastal route north, making their first stop at Sidon in western Syria. Julius
was kind enough to allow Paul to disembark to visit believers in the city.
Leaving Sidon they sailed keeping Cyprus to their left (under the lee) because
of the winds coming out of the west by northwest. Sailing not far from the
southern coast of Asia they reached Myra, a city of the southwestern province
of Lycia.
The
Adramyttium ship that had gotten them safely to Myra would be continuing its
northern route to its home port in northwest Asia. Julius found a larger ship
carrying grain from Alexandria, Egypt to Italy. This would be
suitable for the open water journey to Italy. Staying along the coast
because of the unfavorable winds, they reached the large port at Cnidus on the
northwestern corner of Asia. Rather than putting into port which would have
been expected, the ship took advantage of the strong westerly current and
headed south to the Island of Crete. Passing Salmone with difficulty on the
extreme eastern end of the Island, they came to the Fair Havens, an
anchorage near Lasea on the southern coast of Crete. The winds had
been troublesome and were getting worse. The time for the prescribed fast for
the Day of Atonement had already passed (end of September to early
October) when open sea sailing was considered dangerous. A choice had to be
made between anchoring off Crete in the Fair Havens which some thought
inadequate for a winter stay or making the run for Phoenix, a port forty miles
to the west of the Fair Havens facing both northwest and southwest. Paul
was in favor of the former, thinking continuing would bring about the loss of
the ship, cargo and their lives. Julius agreed with the pilot and owner of the
ship. Certainly they would know better than a Jew who spent his time with books
and not the sea. The majority thought it best to make the run for Phoenix where
they could spend the winter. Even that choice would be dangerous.
Acts Chapter 27:13-38 The
Storm
Paul's
concerns about setting out from the Fair Havens anchorage were about to be
realized. The mild south wind was a good sign for the pilot to weigh anchor.
But good signs can often be misleading when too hastily followed. Such was the
case this time. As they rounded the cape, leaving the protection of the
land, the mild south wind became a violent winter nor'easter as the
cold wind mass from the north clashed with the warmer Mediterranean.
The ship could not be turned into the wind and had no choice but to be carried
by it. By getting close to the small Island of Cauda they gained minimal
control. They hoisted and secured the lifeboat and began to take measures
passing some supports under the ship to strengthen the hull. Fearing they
would run aground on the shallows off Syrtis they lowered the anchor to
create drag. The gale force winds continued through the night and into the
morning. In a desperate effort to save the ship and their lives, on the second
day the crew began to throw some of the cargo overboard. On the third day
they threw the ship's tackle overboard.
The
ominous sky devoid of sun and stars created a feeling of doom, that
all hope had been lost. In the darkest moment of the soul Paul stood among them
to offer encouragement. In his dream the messenger of his God had assured him
no harm would come to him or the others with him even though the ship would
have to be grounded and lost. Paul's "appointment" with the Emperor
would be realized. They had been driven for fourteen days across the Adriatic
between Crete and Sicily before they approached land. The soundings indicated
they were getting nearer, near enough to cause some fear of hitting the coastal
rocks. Four more stern anchors were let down. The possibility of land drove a
number of sailors to lower the lifeboat in an attempt to save themselves. On
Paul's alert the Centurion had the boat cast adrift before it could be
taken.
Before
sunrise Paul encouraged everyone to eat so they would be strengthened for the
last ordeal. He led by example, taking a loaf of bread, giving thanks to God
and eating it. The others followed his lead, got their fill and in preparation
for the morning they threw the cargo of wheat overboard to gain depth under the
keel.
Acts Chapter 27:39-44
Shipwreck
At
first light the land came into view. There was a bay with a suitable beach
upon which they hoped they could run the ship aground. The anchors
were cut away, the rudder ropes removed and the foresail was raised to the
wind. As they steered the ship toward the beach the last obstacle, hidden
beneath the waves, was hit. The ship "having fallen into a place between
two seas" ran aground on the reef with the bow firmly held in
place while the crashing waves began to shatter the stern. The soldiers reacted
first as they were trained. No prisoner could be allowed to escape. They would
all have to be killed, including Paul. For some reason not offered by Luke,
Julius the Centurion prevented them from their plan so that he might save Paul.
With a degree of ordered calmness he took control of the situation, having
the swimmers among them jump into the water and make for shore. Others
could follow, using ship planks and pieces of wreckage as makeshift rafts.
"And so it came about, everyone [was] brought safely onto
the land."
No comments:
Post a Comment