Shipwreck

“Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore.  So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders.  Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach.  But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground.  The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf.” –Acts 27:39-41 (ESV.  Read Acts 27:39-44). 

The account of Paul’s storm-tossed journey to Rome was full of drama.  Acts, all the way through, is filled with drama.  But Luke, in recounting the journey from Caesarea in Palestine to Puteoli in Italy keeps us on the edge of our seats with suspense.  Even though we have perhaps read many times the account of the early church and its mission, the exciting missionary journeys, and now Paul’s journey to Rome, these accounts do not lose their appeal.  The reason is that we see the hand of God revealed in the plans, the implementation, the providence of God in the Acts of the Apostles.  God’s provision at this time of shipwreck is an example of how God worked to fulfill His purpose. 

The ship was nearing land.  The sailors, seeking to save their own lives, were planning to take the ship’s only small boat, board it, and get themselves safely to shore.  Such an action would have left no one to man the ship.  Was Paul a tattle-tale when he overheard their plan and reported it to the centurion?  Hardly.  They were all on the ship together.  And God had already assured Paul that all would be saved if they stayed together rather than separating.  Paul’s action shows how divine sovereignty works through human agents to fulfill the will of God.  The traditional shipwreck site is in what has been named St. Paul’s Bay (in commemoration of the apostle) at Malta.  Then, when the ship hit the reef, we see Captain Paul in charge.  The soldiers who were guarding prisoners were about to kill their charges, fearing they would escape. The guards were accountable for their prisoners, even with their own lives.  Again, Paul intervened and kept them from killing anyone.  Then he ordered those who could swim to head for shore, and those who could not to grab whatever debris from the ship would float and to head for shore.  The result:  all personnel on the ship were saved.  Hooray for Captain Paul.  But the greatest accolade goes to God who intended that not even the hairs of anyone’s head would be harmed (27:34).  The shipwreck occurred at the small island of Malta south of Sicily.  The name Malta means “refuge.”  And indeed they were rescued from death.

Some lessons are to be learned from this shipwreck.  Storms come when God’s will is not followed.  It was not Paul at fault but the centurion, the pilot and the ship owner who would not believe Paul and set sail despite Paul’s warnings.  Storms reveal character.  Some tried to escape instead of standing by the ship.  Paul was stalwart and determined in the storm.  The worst storms cannot hide God.  Paul recognized and obeyed God through the storm.  Storms can also provide opportunities for us to serve others. My husband served in the US Navy during World War II.  After going to Nagasaki Bay soon after the atomic bomb was dropped there with the assignment to restore communication.  Task done, the ship to which he was assigned finally headed home to the USA.  In the midst of the ocean, a raging storm beset the ship.  A call came for welders aboard to report immediately because the ship had sprung leaks.  Soon the plea was repeated:  “SOS.  Welder or not, grab a welding torch and help save this ship!”  At that second call, even those who had never been taught the craft of welding reported to duty.  The ship was saved from sinking, the water it had taken in was cleared out, and the story had a happy ending, with the ship landing safely some days later in a California port.  At least one sailor on that ship was destined to be God’s minister.  To God be the glory!