Acts 27 - All through the storm

In a close environment like a boat, you very quickly find out who are the ones

Image by Gilmour Lilly

who are always sure they are right. They can be irritating, right?  Now, at first glance, Paul may look like the irritating sort of guy – the one who knows about seamanship better than the captain, the know-it-all who is for ever giving advice, and is quick to say “I told you this would happen!”.  Nothing could be further from the truth, however.  Paul rather is a natural leader of the best, most positive kind.

Firstly, He has friendships.  

He builds good, positive relationships. 

In these last two chapters of Acts, Luke once again talks as an eye-witness as he did up until chapter 1v 18. he has probably been quietly working at his profession somewhere in Judea until the decision is finally made to sent Paul to Rome.  So Luke was on that ship and so was Aristarchus, who had come from Asia with Paul to Jerusalem.  It may be that Aristarchus was on his way home to Northern Greece, but Luke was to stick with Paul right the way through to Rome.  Both of them must have had to stick their necks out to be sure of a place on that journey, wither identifying themselves as Paul's companions, or taking the expense of arranging their own passage with Paul.

That tells me that Paul had wonderful friends.  He was someone who won people's hearts and for whom people were willing to make sacrifices.   It's clear from the book of Acts as well as from his letters that Paul, like Jesus, was regularly surrounded by people whom he was teaching, encouraging, listening to, supporting, in a fatherly, mentoring kind of relationship. 

And we see that again with Julius, the Centurion of the Augustan Cohort.  This unit was mainly responsible for securing the corn supply from places like Egypt.  A ship form Alexandria (v. 6) would probably be taking corn supplies to Rome.  Julius did his job diligently, finding the right transport, controlling his men, and holding the ship's owners to their contract.  Nothing suggests that he was weak or incompetent. And yet, we find that
he shows Paul the kindness of allowing him to be looked after by his friends in Sidon (v. 3, presumably with a guard in tow.)
he is able to involve Paul in the conversations before major decisions (v 9-11; 21-26; 31; 33f)
he wanted to save Paul's life when his men were ready simply to kill the prisoners rather than let them escape (v. 42f)
And all of that suggests that not only Paul's experience as a seasoned traveller, but also his obvious concern for the well-being of everyone on board and the warmth of his personality, had won the friendship of the Roman officer.

Secondly, he is in the boat.  

Image by Gilmour Lilly

The first journey, round the Syrian and Turkish coast to Myra, was  the the normal work of coasting vessels.  Then they joined what was probably a grain transport.  Then they hit this  Euraquilo or Gregale wind which sometimes still blows down the Adriatic from southern Europe and causes storms in the Mediterranean.  Men were too seasick, too scared or too busy or wet to eat.  It's all the routine, and the unusual perils, of a sea journey.  Unlike Jonah, trying to sleep through the storm in the hold of the ship, Paul is fully engaged with all that is happening.

And he shows that he is committed to the welfare of the boat and “all who sail in her”.  Throughout the journey, Paul demonstrates that his concern is not just for his own survival – although obviously he is motivated to reach the capital of the empire, Rome!  He is concerned for the survival and welfare of all in the boat.  He has identified with the ship's company and speaks the language of solidarity with them: “Our lives” (v. 10), “we shall have to run on some island” (v. 26).  

That's a model for us, too.  So often we can think of the Church as a lifeboat on the rough seas of life.  All our efforts are focussed on getting other people into our boat. The Church lifeboat is a good boat.  It exists to rescue people. That's a good enough image to work with. We are called to be a lifeboat. But the picture here is of believers, in the same boat as everyone else. So we are also called to be in the same boat with our families, or friends, facing the same storms – the same pressures as everyone else: paying the bills, bringing up your kids, keeping your job, getting older, looking after hour health, surviving difficult relationships, living through epidemics or terror threats.       But sometimes we need to get out of our Church “lifeboat” which can become a bit of a ghetto, and be there, in our communities, families, workplaces, as salt and light, and witness within our world, by presence rather than attraction.we need to be bringing blessing, encouragement as we sue our gifts and skills.  When God's people were taken into exile, they were all desperate to get back to their beloved home land.  But God said “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.”  (Jer 29. 7)  We need to do the same.

Thirdly,  he is hearing God.

Andraé_Crouch - image to by  Eirik Voss

It may be that some of Paul's – correct – insights came from his astute mind and his experience as a seasoned traveller who had already survived shipwrecks.  But some, clearly, were supernatural, prophetic gifts.  He was someone who was able to speak God's word into the situation because he was someone who was hearing God.. as verses 21-26 and 33-37 demonstrate. 

We need to use our minds.  Sometimes Christians get just a bit silly: we're afraid to think things out for ourselves.  The story is told that Christian Soul singer Andrae Couch’s musical career began when his dad, who was a pastor, laid hands on him and prayed that he would have the gift of music so the church would have someone to play the piano.  The young Andrae sat right down next Sunday and played for the service; but I'm in no doubt that the prayer kick started something that God had already planted in the boy's heart and mind.  If you can't carry a tune in a bucket, you're probably not called to be in the worship band.  If the weather forecast says it's going to rain, you don't plan a barbecue.  It the cup final is on, you don't put on a Saturday all-day course for small group leaders (Yes, I’ve been caught out with that one, and the guys who needed training all disappeared after lunch!)

We need to listen.  God will speak, when we need him to, if we will listen to him.  You know what it is like, though.  Sometimes we get obsessed with rubbish, overwhelmed with the circumstances of our lives, and swamped by our own negative thought patterns.  Faith is drowned out and it is difficult to apply God's word or walk in faith.  That is the time when we need to take the time to listen. 

We need to pray. The angel says “God has granted you all those who sail with you”. Paul gave God time to speak, as he called out in believing prayer not only for himself, but for the people around him on the deck and the hold of that ship. in the boat with two hundred others, had a burden fro them.. He was obviously praying for the others.  

© Gilmour Lilly January  2015