Acts - Week 14 / Tuesday

Reading for today: Acts 27:21-44

During the terrible storm (most likely near the 11th day) that this ship encounters, Paul gives everyone a word of encouragement: No person will be lost in this storm, but the ship will be destroyed.

On the 14th night the crew sensed that they were approaching land, so they took a couple of depth readings, and discovered that they were, indeed, getting closer to land. When some sailors decided to abandon ship, Paul warned the centurion that if the sailors were allowed to escape via the life boat, that all aboard would be lost. So Julius, the centurion had the ropes of the dinghy cut, and the sailors stayed with the ship.

After finally eating to gain their strength, they jettison the rest of the cargo overboard, which was an extreme measure, given the costly nature of the grain on board. But it was necessary to properly beach the ship.

They finally see land, and head for a beach. But they strike a sandbar, and the surf begins to break up the stern of the ship.

The soldiers, fearing the prisoners would escape, planned to kill the prisoners. Remember that those guarding prisoners were responsible for them. If the prisoner was guilty of a crime deserving the penalty of death and that prisoner escaped, the guard was put to death---he paid the penalty intended for the prisoner.

But Julius, the centurion, kept the soldiers from carrying out their plan, because he wanted to spare Paul's life. So he ordered all who could swim to head for shore, and those who could not swim to find a plank, hang on tight, and head for the beach. Amazingly, just as Paul had promised, all 276 on board made it to shore safely, but the ship was wrecked.

Tomorrow: An unusual kindness