Monday, March 4, 2019

Paul's Last Journey Begins

Acts 27:2
  "And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, 
meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, 
a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us."


   Luke now joins Paul who is placed aboard a ship sailing west with some other prisoners in the custody of Julius, a member of the imperial guard. This Roman official would later treat Paul with great Kindness and respect, (Acts 27:1-3). After some difficult sailing, they arrived at Fair Havens on the southern side of Crete. The time was around about late autumn. In those days it was the dangerous season  for sailing was from September 14 through November 11. After these dates all navigation on the open sea was discontinued. In spite of this knowledge, and over the protest of Paul  who had already been through a least three shipwrecks, "Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep," (2 Cor. 11-25), the boat Captain set sail for Phenice, and stay the winter there.
   Soon however,  they are caught up in the grip of a winter typhoon. One of the must vivid accounts of a storm in recorded history is described by Luke. The ship is blown far out to sea completely out of control. The terrified sailors band the ship with ropes to strengthen the hull. the following day as the seas grow higher they throw the cargo overboard. The next day all the tackle and loose objects are are also discarded. After fourteen frightful and desperate days Luke writes, "And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we souls be saved was then taken away," (Acts 27:20).
   Paul,this fearless apostle of God appears and standing on the water soaked deck, Sirs, if you had listened to me, and not sailed from Crete we would not have gained this harm and loss. (v. 21). Then Paul tells them to be of good cheer for there will be no loss of any man's life, only the ship. For there stood beside me this night the angel of God, whose I am and whom I serve, "Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee," (Acts 27:24.) We will continue with (PT-2) The Ship Wreck  Tomorrow.
Amen!

Reading: Acts: 27: 1-38
Ref: HG SB, WGTTB
May God Bless You
And Your Family
Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.
The Cross Life Ministry

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