Do you hear the theme song to Gilligan's Island? Let's see how Paul handles rough seas. Will he be like Peter and step out onto the water? Or will he be like Jonah and get swallowed up by a great fish?
Paul is readied to sail for Italy with a Roman centurion, Julius. He is, of course, a Roman citizen and would receive benefits that normal prisoners would never see.
The historian Josephus says that at this time one of the "cohorts stationed at Caesarea took the name of Augustus."
Since there were no non-stop flights on Alliance Air, they had to settle for merchant ships. And since these followed only one schedule--the seasons--they were in for a longer than normal trip. Paul would take three ships before he reaches Rome.
We know that Luke has come along--his meticulous notes are clear and concise. You can almost hear the ship's mast groaning under the weight of the winds. He also has another companion, one he called a "fellow prisoner"--Aristarchus. Who is mentioned in Acts 19:29, 20:4 and Col 4:10.
As they sailed on to Cyprus, they kept near the shore. It was not good weather, so the stars would not be clear for mapping out their location. They kept the coastline in sight. This could also prove dangerous, because the seas were rough. And you never knew when the sea bed would surprise your boat's hull. (Aye matey!)
The final ship they climb on board is of Alexandria. It is a grain vessel, bound to Rome from Egypt. I would imagine it sat low in the water with all the grain it carried--anywhere from 500 to 1000 tons.
The Fast had passed, the Atonement...so it was October. They still kept close to the coastline because sun and stars were obscured by clouds and storms.
Paul advised these seasoned sailors to not go farther. But they listened to the captain and the pilot. Maybe they were eager to get paid for their shipment? They wanted to go a bit farther than Phoenix to winter in a safe harbor, but God had other plans.
A great wind came up...Euroclydon was the term. Or as we know it, a Northeaster'. The word actually implies hurricane. The ship was in the grip of a storm and could not stay on course. The crew gave up and let the storm blow them where it wanted. Sometimes you just have to ride the storm out and wait until it dies down.
I was reminded of the great storm that rose up on the lake with the disciples in a tiny boat...and Jesus was sleeping. Have you ever had a storm in your life and thought God was sleeping on the job? Let's see what Paul does.
Paul reminds them of his earlier advise, not to say "I told you so!" but so they would hopefully listen to his words finally. (These days it's so easy to rub some one's nose in their mistakes...hold your tongue and give them wisdom, not teasing.)
They have a battle on their hands, a battle with wind and water. They literally chain the hull together so it wouldn't break apart from the stress.
He tells them an angel told him that no one would be lost. But the ship and cargo would be gone. He gave one of his shortest sermons! Oh that we would limit our words when witnessing!
After 14 days some sailors try to drop the lifeboat and escape. But are caught...in fact, if anyone escaped it was certain death for the soldiers who were in charge. It wasn't a rank or two they'd get busted down...they would answer with their life. Paul advises the soldiers that if they leave, lives would not be spared. So they cut the ropes to the lifeboat.
Paul encourages them to eat, in fact they break bread together. It reminded me of a "last supper" scene. 276 people ate together and were encouraged.
They needed the strength, they had wheat to throw overboard now. When day came, they didn't recognize the shore. They saw a bay and set their sails for it. They cut away the anchors and got closer. But just as they thought they'd run aground much closer, the prow stuck in a sandbar and the waves broke apart the ship.
If you've ever been swimming in the ocean, you know how powerful a small wave is. And to have waves pounding a ship after a storm, I would imagine it was a very dicey situation.
The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners, they were worried they'd escape. They could not go to Rome empty handed.
After reading this part again, I realized it was not Paul that intervened, but the centurion! (v43-44)
"but the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from their intention, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest {should follow,} some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land. "
Paul had made quite an impression on this man. And they all ended up in the water...Carolyn says it was the first time a surfboard was used. :)
Dear sisters, as you disciple another, be wise. Be obedient to God's leading. Do not fear...His plans for you may seem like a shipwreck. But in His greater plan, He is just leading you to another level in your faith that you never would've gotten to by yourself.
Time to drop your anchors and let the Holy Spirit fill your sails. Yo Ho matey!!
