Dear Friends,
Greetings in Christ!
When we left off in our last post, Julius the centurion was in agreement with the sailors who wanted to leave The fair havens (today called Kali Limenes) on Crete and set sail for Phenice. Paul warned them against this, but what does Paul know? Paul is just a Christian — and a prisoner to boot.
As we pick back up in this post, they set sail, and it looks like smooth sailing ahead.
Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Acts 27:13-26
13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
I can almost see the self-satisfied looks on the faces of the sailors who thought they were smarter than Paul. But in the next verse, we have a but.
14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
Euroclydon was a violent northeast wind. They are at the mercy of the elements now.
15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, [today called Gavdos] we had much work to come by the boat:
17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven.
It seems the only thing missing here is ‘battening down the hatches’. They are doing everything they can to weather the storm.
18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. Dr Luke uses another ‘we’ showing he was working alongside the sailors.
20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.
23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
Acts 27:13-26
In the section before us, we have what may be the biggest problem throughout the entire Bible. People always think they are smarter than God. Whether they be God’s people, like the rebellious Israelites who stoned the prophets in the Old Testament, or the pagans who chose to worship other gods, the followers of Jesus who were always trying to tell Him what to do, or his enemies who had Him killed, people always seem to think they are smarter than God.
Paul could have gotten bitter over the trouble they were in because they didn’t listen, but he didn’t. Paul knows God is in control and He can handle this. Paul knows this is a Romans 8:28.
As Christians, we are like the poor lepers in II Kings 7 who were going to die but were saved. When their lives were saved, they found immeasurable riches, but they didn’t just keep it to themselves. They were wise and went and told everyone. We all have leprosy, so to speak: a disease called sin that desensitizes us and kills us. We also all have the cure available to us, with untold riches for all who want to come. Through faith in Christ, our sins are washed away, and we are given eternal life.
We cannot convince anyone with bitterness and anger over their unwitting agreement with the new world order, or their unbelief concerning the gospel. But we can be patient with them like Paul was, then try to win them over later when they see we are right.
Paul is winning over the soldiers and the crew of the ship. They are starting to see Paul for who he really is – God’s spokesman. In chains, yes, but patient and forgiving, trusting God, and spreading the gospel to all who will listen.
The certain island that they are heading for is Melita (Malta), but that will come in a later post. Paul’s prophecy about Melita will come to pass, just like everything else he has been telling them. They are starting to see that now.
Father, help us all to navigate our storms as patiently and prayerfully as Paul did. Help us to be as patient with those who doubt us as Paul was with those who doubted him. Direct our paths, give us the wisdom to make good decisions, and please account us worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before your Son, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
