BRUCE C WEARNE, in his series on Acts, reports the ongoing struggle of the ship carrying Luke and Paul as it attempted to cross the Mediterreanean Sea…
And so, when the south wind blew gently, this was taken to confirm this strategy, so weighing anchor they hugged the coast of Crete. But not for long and soon we were pounded by a furious gale, known as the north-easter, from off the land and the ship, not being able to tack into the wind, was caught, and so we had to allow ourselves to be driven along before it. Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to make the boat safe after hoisting the sail up, and then bound cables right around the ship; then [those in charge], fearing that they should be run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear [again], and [in this way] they were driven on. And, next day, being so violently tossed around by the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard; and on the third day with their own hands they [even] cast the tackle out of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many a day, with no let up in the tempest that had caught us [well and truly], any hope of our getting through this safely ebbed away. – Acts 27: 13-20
PICTURE: Tim Marshall/Unsplash
IN A NUTSHELL
The boat is driven out into the midst of the Mediterranean Ocean. Days passed and hope dwindled.
With a south wind blowing, the ship set sail along the coast. But before they knew it, the captain and crew were no longer in charge of the vessel. They were being driven before the north-easterly, the “Euroquilo” typhoon of irresistible power. All effort was made to secure the ship while the sails, the anchors and cargo to be ditched overboard.
Note how Luke indicates that for a while he and others helped in making the ship as safe as possible. Then when the situation deteriorates it is those in charge, “they”, who take action. Luke’s account recognises that some had the sea-skills to act in these ways.
Paul had strongly advised against the trip. He saw the great risks; he obviously knew how the weather could change in these parts and no doubt was aware of the ship owner’s responsibility to get the cargo to its destination. But the cargo was the first to go. The ship is driven and desperate measures were required to avoid the treacherous Syrtis sand-bar.
This terrible voyage lasted days; there was no let up. They could not track their voyage by the stars. They had no sun to give them light in the pelting mist. Luke spells it out plainly and simply, “all hope of our getting through safely had ebbed away”.
Some say that Luke appears in his own Gospel as the other fellow on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). These two men met Jesus without knowing it. They had replied to a question Jesus put to them with these words: “We had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel”.
All hope, seemingly, had been lost then, too.
OPEN BOOK – HINTS FROM THE SPIRIT OF HOLINESS: STORM TOSSED
BRUCE C WEARNE, in his series on Acts, reports the ongoing struggle of the ship carrying Luke and Paul as it attempted to cross the Mediterreanean Sea…
And so, when the south wind blew gently, this was taken to confirm this strategy, so weighing anchor they hugged the coast of Crete. But not for long and soon we were pounded by a furious gale, known as the north-easter, from off the land and the ship, not being able to tack into the wind, was caught, and so we had to allow ourselves to be driven along before it. Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to make the boat safe after hoisting the sail up, and then bound cables right around the ship; then [those in charge], fearing that they should be run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear [again], and [in this way] they were driven on. And, next day, being so violently tossed around by the storm, they began to throw the cargo overboard; and on the third day with their own hands they [even] cast the tackle out of the ship. And when neither sun nor stars appeared for many a day, with no let up in the tempest that had caught us [well and truly], any hope of our getting through this safely ebbed away. – Acts 27: 13-20
PICTURE: Tim Marshall/Unsplash
IN A NUTSHELL
The boat is driven out into the midst of the Mediterranean Ocean. Days passed and hope dwindled.
With a south wind blowing, the ship set sail along the coast. But before they knew it, the captain and crew were no longer in charge of the vessel. They were being driven before the north-easterly, the “Euroquilo” typhoon of irresistible power. All effort was made to secure the ship while the sails, the anchors and cargo to be ditched overboard.
Note how Luke indicates that for a while he and others helped in making the ship as safe as possible. Then when the situation deteriorates it is those in charge, “they”, who take action. Luke’s account recognises that some had the sea-skills to act in these ways.
Paul had strongly advised against the trip. He saw the great risks; he obviously knew how the weather could change in these parts and no doubt was aware of the ship owner’s responsibility to get the cargo to its destination. But the cargo was the first to go. The ship is driven and desperate measures were required to avoid the treacherous Syrtis sand-bar.
This terrible voyage lasted days; there was no let up. They could not track their voyage by the stars. They had no sun to give them light in the pelting mist. Luke spells it out plainly and simply, “all hope of our getting through safely had ebbed away”.
Some say that Luke appears in his own Gospel as the other fellow on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35). These two men met Jesus without knowing it. They had replied to a question Jesus put to them with these words: “We had hoped that He was the One to redeem Israel”.
All hope, seemingly, had been lost then, too.
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