Acts 27:1-13: "Setting Sail for Rome"
It was finally time for Paul to set sail to Rome to meet w/ Caesar. The first thing I noticed when reading this narrative was that it was in the first person. Luke has apparently been reunited with Paul and will make the trip to Rome with Paul. From reading this section, you get the feeling that the person put in charge of Paul has grown a respect for him, and has not treated him like a prisoner. The man in charge of Paul was a "centurion of the Augustan cohort named Julius". Some other prisoners were on board the ship that was to set sail for Italy. Another of Paul's fellow believers was allowed to make the journey with Paul, Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica. What amazing friendship and love these men had for Paul. Just to get a little more time with Paul before he was possibly sentenced to prison or death. Their great love for Paul has been shown throughout Acts as they have truly been impacted by his life. Once again, they risk their lives on a dangerous sail, to be with their beloved friend again.
In v.3 we see that the day after setting sail they arrive in Sidon, 70 miles north of Adramyttium. Julius' care and respect for Paul allows him to "go to his friends and receive care". What an encouragement friends are to us. Often times, God will use friends in our lives to help give us the strength and help we need to get through trials. I know I am so thankful for my friends who encourage, exhort, and hold me accountable. Friends are a rare treasure and Paul has so many throughout the various places he visited, that are their for him. This is quite a testimony to Paul, as he has made so many enemies because of his faith, yet through this same faith has made so many friends.
After a day w/ his friends they set sail again "under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary". MacArthur writes, "They passed between Cyprus and the mainland, keeping to the lee side of the island for shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. Smaller coastal vessels (like theirs) avoided crossing long stretches of open ocean, preferring to stay as close to shore as possible". They made their way to the port at Myra in Lycia and disembarked. Julius needs to find transportation from here that can take them the rest of the way. Finding and Alexandrian grain ship sailing for Italy, he and the crew board. Traveling by ship can be a tiresome task. You are so often at the mercy of the winds you never quite know how long it will take you to get to your destination. Apparently the winds were not cooperating with their travel plans and they sailed "slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty". They came to a place named Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea, where they had to stay for awhile to wait for a shift in the winds. Luke tells us that after "considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over". MacArthur tells us, "For ancient sailing vessels, travel was problematic and dangerous from mid-September to mid-November. All sailing in the open sea ceased from mid-November until at least February. Inasmuch as the Day of Atonement fell in late September or early October, Paul's ship was already well into the danger period". Being through his share of sailing and shipwreck's Paul warns his shipmates to not travel further as, "I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives". My belief is that Paul said these words with great wisdom and calm. He knew that regardless of what happened the Lord would protect him as He always had. The ship captain however did not agree with Paul and persuaded Julius and the majority "to put out to sea from there". They desired to travel about 40 miles to Phoenix a harbor of Crete to spend a less severe winter there. Against the wise council of Paul, they set sail for Crete as they stayed close inshore to try to brave the weather. As we will see, as is so often the case, Paul's words would ring true and they will face a life threatening situation. Men that have such great wisdom and spiritual insight as Paul, we should give heed to their words more than listen to the council of worldly men. I am sure this is something all those on board learned.
In v.3 we see that the day after setting sail they arrive in Sidon, 70 miles north of Adramyttium. Julius' care and respect for Paul allows him to "go to his friends and receive care". What an encouragement friends are to us. Often times, God will use friends in our lives to help give us the strength and help we need to get through trials. I know I am so thankful for my friends who encourage, exhort, and hold me accountable. Friends are a rare treasure and Paul has so many throughout the various places he visited, that are their for him. This is quite a testimony to Paul, as he has made so many enemies because of his faith, yet through this same faith has made so many friends.
After a day w/ his friends they set sail again "under the shelter of Cyprus because the winds were contrary". MacArthur writes, "They passed between Cyprus and the mainland, keeping to the lee side of the island for shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. Smaller coastal vessels (like theirs) avoided crossing long stretches of open ocean, preferring to stay as close to shore as possible". They made their way to the port at Myra in Lycia and disembarked. Julius needs to find transportation from here that can take them the rest of the way. Finding and Alexandrian grain ship sailing for Italy, he and the crew board. Traveling by ship can be a tiresome task. You are so often at the mercy of the winds you never quite know how long it will take you to get to your destination. Apparently the winds were not cooperating with their travel plans and they sailed "slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty". They came to a place named Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea, where they had to stay for awhile to wait for a shift in the winds. Luke tells us that after "considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over". MacArthur tells us, "For ancient sailing vessels, travel was problematic and dangerous from mid-September to mid-November. All sailing in the open sea ceased from mid-November until at least February. Inasmuch as the Day of Atonement fell in late September or early October, Paul's ship was already well into the danger period". Being through his share of sailing and shipwreck's Paul warns his shipmates to not travel further as, "I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives". My belief is that Paul said these words with great wisdom and calm. He knew that regardless of what happened the Lord would protect him as He always had. The ship captain however did not agree with Paul and persuaded Julius and the majority "to put out to sea from there". They desired to travel about 40 miles to Phoenix a harbor of Crete to spend a less severe winter there. Against the wise council of Paul, they set sail for Crete as they stayed close inshore to try to brave the weather. As we will see, as is so often the case, Paul's words would ring true and they will face a life threatening situation. Men that have such great wisdom and spiritual insight as Paul, we should give heed to their words more than listen to the council of worldly men. I am sure this is something all those on board learned.
posted by amesfam | 1:26 PM
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