The apostle Paul to his Roman escort centurion and soldiers.
I have recently taken to reading my Bible in a randomized fashion by letting it fall open on its own. The pages that lie open before me are where I begin reading. This has been an interesting exercise.
Today, my Bible fell open to Acts 27, the story of the shipwreck of the Apostle Paul. Interesting.
Paul has been suffering the trials of imprisonment because of the disruption of the peace his speaking has caused among the Jews. He has been preaching that Jesus of Nazareth is raised from the dead, while the Jews are adamant Jesus is dead. Because he is a Roman citizen, Paul’s case must be heard by a Roman official, ultimately requiring him to go to Caesar. It is on his trip to Rome that his ship is beset by travel difficulties, ending in shipwreck. On the trip, Paul became friendly with the Roman centurion and soldiers escorting him to Rome.
The time was winter and the travel was becoming dangerous. (How appropriate to find this story today in the midst of our icy winter weather!)
On their way, they encountered a northeaster and were pushed along and violently storm-tossed to the point the crew began to toss the cargo overboard. For several days they battled the storm, but then Paul appealed to them and told them of a vision from God, saying “there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For this very night there stood by me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, and he said, ‘Do not be afraid Paul; you must stand before Caesar; and lo, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ So take heart men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. Be we shall have to run on some island.”
On the fourteenth day, the sailors found shallow water. Paul encouraged them to eat; he took bread, gave thanks to God, broke it and shared it with them. The crew prepared to sail into a bay with a beach but ran aground and the ship was wrecked. The centurion whom Paul had befriended ordered all to find a way ashore, while the soldiers would have killed the prisoners to prevent their escape.
In so many ways, Paul and his travel companions are tested. Paul’s speaking about the Good News of Jesus Christ has earned him many friends, and many enemies. But it is interesting that in the face of these trials it is the Gentiles, whom are just now learning about Jesus, who befriend him. Roman rulers find his story compelling and wish to hear more. Roman centurions befriend him and ensure his safety. Faith in Jesus the Christ is coming to those who knew Him not, but who hear in the story Paul tells, the Truth of their heart’s desire.
Like Paul, our faith is frequently tested and we are often put on “trial” to prove what we believe. I pray that I might be strong enough to weather the storms of life that test my faith. I pray that I have studied the Bible and listened for the voice of the Holy Spirit within me in such ways that I can be like Paul and bring Jesus into the lives of those who do not yet know Him. I pray that you may also be prepared for the trials life sends you.
What are you doing to weather the storms in your life that test your faith? Could you defend your faith if you had to stand before Caesar and make your case?
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