GOSPEL MEDITATION # 67
Acts 27:1-44
Paul Sails to Rome, The Storm at Sea, The Shipwreck
- Find a quiet place, alone and apart from distractions.
- Be comfortably alert, still and at peace.
- Say the Lord’s Prayer. Sing or cant the Jesus Prayer
- Pray for family, friends, neighbors, and yourself.
- Slowly and carefully read the passage of Scripture.
- In custody of the Roman authorities, commanded by a centurion named Julius, Paul begins the long trek to Rome. He had appealed to Caesar and to Rome he would go thus fulfilling the promise of Jesus that he would testify to the Gospel in Rome.
- The eastern portion of the Mediterranean Sea, in the area of the Adriatic sea, could be tempestuous. It was an especially dangerous time of year to make the voyage.
- There arose a terrific storm called a ‘northeastern’ and there was great fear for the 276 persons on board, many of whom were prisoners. It is probable that there were also 100 Roman soldiers on board as well as much cargo, especially grain.
- Jesus, having appeared to Paul early on, told Paul that he would reach Rome safely and no person on board the large ocean going cargo ship would perish.
- Despite all efforts on the part of the ship’s captain and crew, there is a ship wreck. History tells us the place was the island of Malta. Attempting to head for a bay of the island, the ship becomes stuck on a reef.
- Desperate measures are taken, and some soldiers wanted to kill all the prisoners on board lest in the melee some might escape. But Julius intervenes and all are spared, including Paul.
- Luke concludes this section by saying: “And so it was that all were brought safely to land.”
- This would be a testimony that against all odds, Jesus would keep His word.