The Voyage
Life is a journey with many choices for bad or for good. Often we do not pay attention and just go along with the crowd. This was as the crowd who crucified Jesus. We must be aware in our journey that we are not alone. God leads us and we hear from him. Sometimes we hear from a friend or from events that he has ordained. We do not listen completely to "experts". for often they have impure ways and are not hearing God's voice. Each must follow God, looking for his reality in a life of storms and shadows.
Prov 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.
Those who can see with God's eyes will not perish.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Acts 27:1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a centurion of Augustus' band.
We, meaning Luke and Paul and perhaps others were put on ship to be transported to Italy. Paul, though no guilt was found in him, is a ward of the Romans and placed under a Roman guard named Julius, a centurion.
Acts 27:2 And entering into a ship of Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us.
Aristarchus, of Thessalonica accompanied Paul and Luke.
Acts 27:3 And the next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.
Paul was given liberty, being an uncondemned Roman who was himself of good character. He was to be refreshed with friends.
Prov 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Prov 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
Acts 27:4 And when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the winds were contrary.
Acts 27:5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia.
Acts 27:6 And there the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us therein.
It was probably a ship with a cargo of grain.
Acts 27:7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under Crete, over against Salmone;
Acts 27:8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of Lasea.
Fair haven, was on the South side of the island of Crete.
Acts 27:9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
The fast of the Day of Atonement. In the year of Paul's sailing it was October 5. This year, 2002, it was September 16.
The Day of Atonement; for those under the Jewish Ceremonial laws
Lev 23:28 And ye shall do no work in that same day: for it is a day of atonement, to make an atonement for you before the LORD your God.
Lev 23:29 For whatsoever soul it be that shall not be afflicted in that same day, he shall be cut off from among his people.
Lev 23:30 And whatsoever soul it be that doeth any work in that same day, the same soul will I destroy from among his people.
Lev 23:31 Ye shall do no manner of work: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
This law is for the Jews in remembrance, for all time. But, what is it in remembrance of? An offering of an animal was only a picture of what was to come. Jesus was the final atonement. He is the everlasting covenant that we are to keep in remembrance. The Jews worship the shadow and the past, having ignored the Messiah, the true everlasting atonement. The reality of their hope. We dare not turn to a shadow or a ritual and forget the meaning fulfilled in our Lord Jesus, the lamb of God who takes away our sins.
Lev 23:32 It shall be unto you a sabbath of rest, and ye shall afflict your souls: in the ninth day of the month at even, from even unto even, shall ye celebrate your sabbath.
“The dangerous season for sailing began about September 14 and lasted until November 11; after the latter date all navigation on the open sea came to an end until winter was over.” (Bruce)
The fast for the Day of Atonement, what is it now?
The atonement for sins is still kept by the Jews. The new day of atonement was the day Jesus shed his blood for us and the applying of his blood on the heavenly mercy seat. Jesus is now our rest, he is Lord of the sabbath.
Mat 12:7 But if ye had known what this meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not have condemned the guiltless.
Mat 12:8 For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.
Jesus is the Lord of the sabbath, he is our rest that we enter into, he is our peace with God and within.
Isaiah speaks of the fast that God wants;
Isa 58:3 Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Isa 58:4 Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high.
Isa 58:5 Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the LORD?
Our Father God is not interested in empty rituals. Jesus has come, he lives within. Shall we be downcast when the Lord of glory resides in us? What kind of fast does he want from us now?
Isa 58:6 Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?
This is the work of Jesus in Isaiah 61:1
Isa 61:1 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 58:7 Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?
Mat 25:35 For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Mat 25:36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Mat 25:37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
Mat 25:38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Mat 25:39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
Mat 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
Is not a fast a time of denying the flesh and submitting oneself to God. After we are in the spirit, we do the works of the spirit and not the flesh.
Isa 58:8 Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rereward (rear guard).
Isa 58:9 Then shalt thou call, and the LORD shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If thou take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity;
The fast of obedient service comes from a yielded heart. Then you shall have the Lords favor.
We take away the yoke: oppressing others, putting others into bondage, being ourselves bound to sin and addictions.
Putting forth of the finger: Stop accusing and blaming others
Speaking vanity: Quit speaking empty wicked words
Isa 58:10 And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day:
We should minister to their souls as well as the physical needs. Love your neighbor as yourself. Share the word of God and build them up in the inner man.
Isa 58:11 And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
We shall be greatly blessed if we do these things.
Is it wrong to do good on the Sabbath?
Mark 3:2 And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him.
Mark 3:3 And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth.
Mark 3:4 And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.
Mark 3:5 And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other.
Mark 3:6 And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
The "experts" missed God with them, and sought to kill, following satan, the god of the world.
The old testament laws are fulfilled in the new. Jesus was the final atonement and the fast he desires is to do good. To do God's work through his Holy Spirit.
The day of atonement continues to be observered by devout Jews even though they are blinded that their messiah has already atoned for their sins. They have listened to their "experts" and have missed their Messiah.
Rom 11:7 What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded
Rom 11:8 (According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Heb 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Heb 9:13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh:
Heb 9:14 How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
The Jewish leaders also kept the Passover in the letter of the law, being "experts" in the law, while killing the lamb of God, that was the reality of the passover, being blind in the spirit, they missed God.
John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a sponge with vinegar, and put it upon hyssop, and put it to his mouth.
John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away.
John 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
John 19:35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
John 19:36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
John 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
Returning to the voyage
Acts 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Paul from personal experience gives his opinion, not as an expert but as a man of God with experience. What experience? It is estimated that Paul traveled 3500 miles by ship in his missionary journeys. He had many encounters with perils at sea. Paul could sense trouble.
2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
2 Cor 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
2 Cor 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
2 Cor 11:27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Acts 27:11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
Well, a ship owner should know his business. Yet, a man of God should be considered because he has the mind of Christ, through the Holy Spirit.
2 Tim 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
Acts 27:12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth toward the south west and north west.
They were at Safe Haven, but they felt it was not as secure as Phenice, they would chance the sea for a safer port. Another reason is that Phenice was a larger city with more entertainment for the crew.
Acts 27:13 And when the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence, they sailed close by Crete.
Acts 27:14 But not long after there arose against it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon.
Acts 27:15 And when the ship was caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive.
Acts 27:16 And running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work to come by the boat:
We, meaning Luke and others had a hard time securing the small dingy that was pulled behind the ship.
Acts 27:17 Which when they had taken up, they used helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into the quicksands, struck sail, and so were driven.
The ship was tied around with ropes to help keep it from breaking apart , there was also perils of quicksands; Sand readily yielding to pressure; especially : a deep mass of loose sand mixed with water into which heavy objects readily sink -(Webster)
Acts 27:18 And we being exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the ship;
They threw heavy objects overboard to lighten the ship.
Acts 27:19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the tackling of the ship.
Acts 27:20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away.
It seemed to be an impossible situation in the natural. Have you ever gone against the wise counsel of another who is close to the Lord. Then you came to a place of no hope. Maybe you married a non-Christian against the advice and word of God? Now your marriage seems to be without hope. Remember Jesus, he is the Lord of all the storms of life. He spoke to the storm on the sea of Galilee;
Mark 4:39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
Mark 4:40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
We are to have faith in the Lord, even though we may have caused our storm by disobedience, the Lord loves and cares for us. He cannot take his eyes off of us, he loves us so much. We are not blinded to Jesus, as are the unbelieving and the experts of the world. We need only call to him in faith and he will respond.
We are no longer living empty lives without meaning. We do not follow empty rituals with blind hearts, listening to the made up wisdom of the experts. The scribes and pharisees were experts of the law, yet they missed God, and have passed down a legacy of unbelief. King Agrippa was an expert in Jewish affairs, but was not persuaded to become a Christian. Paul used common sense and a mind submitted to Jesus in giving advice about the dangers of the sea, yet the experts did not listen to him. Who will we listen to? Who will we believe.
Rom 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We see with the eyes of God's Spirit. We are to do his work and reach out to the lost and blind because God is our strength. He guides us in all truth in his purpose. Our fast is to love and meet the needs of those needing to hear and be free. God's love reaches out to all who will receive. He comes for you and he will be with you forever.
Shipwrecked
Acts 27:21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.
Acts 27:22 And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship.
Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,
Acts 27:24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou must be brought before Caesar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them that sail with thee.
Once again an angel appears before Paul, affirming that he will be safe and that he must go to Caesar. Earlier the Lord, or an angel of the Lord had spoken to him of his calling to be a witness at Rome.
Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 27:25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
God has promised that all lives would be spared. Paul believed God, that is faith. We are required to put our trust in God's message. Many believe that there is a God, but few believe what he has said. Faith is obedience in what we know of God. We are not to be hearers only, but believers, so much that we put our trust in his words.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Acts 27:26 Howbeit we must be cast upon a certain island.
It was revealed that they would be cast ashore on an Island, which one was not mentioned.
Acts 27:27 But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country;
Acts 27:28 And sounded, and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further, they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms.
Acts 27:29 Then fearing lest we should have fallen upon rocks,
they cast four anchors out of the stern, and wished for the day.
They threw a rope over, with a weight tied to it. Sometimes the rope has knots to measure fathoms, but also a fathom was the length between outstretched arms, about 6 feet. The depth of the water was becoming more shallow, so they threw out four anchors, to keep from drifting aground on shallow rocks.
When you are in trouble, not knowing what to do, be still attach yourself firmly to Jesus and wait until the storm clears. I think of four anchors as holding fast, perhaps with hands and feet clutching the rock of ages.
Hold fast...
Job 27:6 My righteousness I hold fast, and will not let it go: my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
Jesus is our righteousness, hold fast to him.
1 Th 5:19 Quench not the Spirit.
1 Th 5:20 Despise not prophesyings.
1 Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
1 Th 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
1 Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.
Heb 3:7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
Heb 3:8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
Hold fast to Jesus in faith. Be not discouraged at difficult things with the hardening of your heart. Trust in Jesus and have a tender heart of compassion.
Heb 10:23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
Acts 27:30 And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea, under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the foreship,
Acts 27:31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.
The ship is the church, unless you stay connected to Jesus you will perish. There is no other way to be saved, but through Jesus.
Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.
Acts 4:11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Acts 4:13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
You must stay connected to God's word.
Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
We must stay close to God's Spirit
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 11:29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Acts 27:32 Then the soldiers cut off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off.
I assume this was the smaller boat that they were towing.
Acts 27:33 And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having taken nothing.
The storm may have made them seasick, or just to upset to eat.
Acts 27:34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is for your health: for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you.
It has been promised to Paul by the angel, that none would be lost. It is done, in Paul's mind through faith. So, even if you do not feel like eating. eat for your bodies sake.
Mark 14:38 Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Acts 27:35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he began to eat.
Paul gave thanks, even in the midst of a storm. He did not blame God, he trusted him and was thankful for each provision. Do we sometimes forget to thank God for things, perhaps taking them for granted? In perilous times we should always give thanks to God. We are in perilous times.
Acts 27:36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat.
One man's faith gave strength to the others. They followed his example, perhaps eventually they would also receive Jesus.
Acts 27:37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore and sixteen souls.
Two hundred seventy-six souls. Each one important to God, though most were prisoners.
Acts 27:38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.
They were also a cargo ship. Wheat for bread in Italy. Paul was to bring the bread of life to Italy, to Caesar's palace.
John 6:48 I am that bread of life.
John 6:49 Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead.
John 6:50 This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die.
John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.
Acts 27:39 And when it was day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust in the ship.
Acts 27:40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoisted up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore.
There were two rudders, one on each side of the stern, back of the boat. Usually they were tied together, but for better maneuvering of the ship, they were loosed and men steered them into close places.
James described the tongue as being as a rudder. A very small helm that guides a big ship. When we are in tight places may our tongue be speaking prayers and praises to God. (James 3:4,5)
Acts 27:41 And falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part was broken with the violence of the waves.
Probably the bow of the ship was aground on a sand bar, or rocks between two bodies of water. It was being broke apart by the waves. As a diver, in my younger years, I would be tossed by the waves, but under water it would be calm. Deep in the water of the word there is peace, but where the word meets the world, there is often conflict. The winds of adversity strike at the word, but we hold fast.
Acts 27:42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
This was usual, to loose a prisoner for a guard was to lose ones own life.
Acts 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
Acts 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
The Centurion believed Paul and many were given a free choice as to how to make it to dry land, but all would be saved. All who would trust in Paul's gospel message would be saved, as well. Hold fast, do not leave Jesus and be thankful in all things. Many have shipwrecked in their walk with Christ, and are no longer serving him. We shall not be numbered with them.
Gary
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