Journal Acts 27 (all references are from the ESV; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them (the boat’s masters), saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss—not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.” But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.” Acts 27:9-11
Since they (the boat’s crew and passengers) had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, “Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar—and behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So, take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. (vs. 21-25)
And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under the pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” Then soldiers (convinced by Paul’s declaration) cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. (vs. 30-32)
But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their (the soldiers) plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land. (vs. 43-44)
Observation: See how Paul went from a mere prisoner to a trusted leader by sticking to the Gospel.
Analysis: I neglect thinking and remembering that the Gospel permeates all corners of my life; it is not just a “message” for the lost—it is a “code” for living fully for the Kingdom. Paul nails it in Acts over and over again.
This chapter is a long tale. It would be easy to speed read through it because there aren’t any “bumper sticker” slogans involved. But there is a character story…
- Paul appealed to Caesar. Legal requirement, gotta go; can’t back out now.
- Centurion kind of respects Paul. However,
- Paul (in a dream, in meditation, having a prophetic word, or just plain reasoning things out) says, “Guys, bad idea. Let’s wait for the next sailing season. There’s a bad moon a’risin…”
- Centurion goes to the captain of the boat and the owner who convinces the Centurion to sail.
- Weather kicks up dangerously and Paul says to the crew: “Told you so! However, stick with my God, guys. An angel told me I will be saved through this storm AND you will too if you stick with me. Oh yeah: but we will lose the boat and the cargo and everything else.”
- The sailing crew was thinking of sneaking out under false pretenses. Paul perceived this also, told the Centurion who cut off the lifeboat. Stopped listening to the captain and the owner and now is solely listening to Paul.
- And everyone (all 276 crew and passengers) was saved. Boat was lost.
Look how Paul went from semi-important in legal stature, to ignored, to taking charge, to being obeyed. All due to Paul staying true to functioning in the Gospel. “I heard; I spoke.” Throughout, he spoke with authority, encouraged with authority, advised with authority—but didn’t have authority in the way the world accounts for authority. Paul was a prisoner, but exuded authority through his stature and because he was a humble Disciple.
If I can visualize how Paul did all of this without an attitude (even the “I told you so…” bit), I sure want to mimic that.
Prayer: Father, I butchered this all up trying to get it into a short read. Still, I want to clearly see the way that Paul did; hear your whisper; hear a sent angel and not get my knickers in a twist if one shows up; to speak clearly and with godly authority in the right circumstances set before me.
Apples of gold in settings of silver…
Amen
Ricky Two Shoes