Sail for Italy
Acts 27:1-8; 7/7/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
There is no such thing as a feast that never ends. Paul stayed in Caesarea for more than two years. At this time, it is time for the drama to end. Paul’s journey has been guided by the vision of “going to Rome”, and even the governor Festus actively cooperated to help Paul set off for Rome. Let’s look at the first point:
Centurion Julius traveled together
Who is Julius? Why is it recorded in the Bible? Not only was it recorded, but his name was also left behind, which shows that he is unique. First, the centurion appointed by Festus. A centurion, as the name suggests, is a professional officer who leads a hundred people in the Roman army. He is responsible for training and temporary command. This centurion not only left his name in the Bible, but was also personally selected by the governor Festus and entrusted with important tasks. God put a heart and mind that believed Paul was not guilty into the governor’s cognition, then the centurions he appointed would also have the same belief. From this we can see that God’s grace can be visible or invisible. God told Paul to go to Rome and go as a criminal suspect. Then, God prepared abundant grace for Paul along the way. This is why we always ask for God’s presence in our prayers.
Second, Paul was traveling with other prisoners. There were other prisoners who were escorted to Rome with Paul. Explain that escorting prisoners from various places was a daily operation of the Roman Empire, and was not a job specially set up for Paul alone. These other prisoners also played an important role in this trip, so Luke laid the groundwork here. So, how many are these other prisoners? Judging from the records in chapter 27 and verse 37, there were 276 people on the ship. Excluding 100 soldiers, the captain and about 10 sailors, there should be about 150-160 prisoners. The destiny of these people will be changed because of their walk with Paul, not because of Paul’s power, but because Paul is used by God to have influence.
Finally, kindly let Paul go to Sidon and stopped there. Set sail from Caesarea and sail along the seaside. Firstly, it was safe, and secondly, it was the usual itinerary at that time. Not long after heading north, they will encounter Sidon. Of course, Sidon was the transportation hub for land and water routes from Palestine to Asia. It may also be that the centurion learned that Paul had friends in Sidon. Therefore, Luke recorded, saying: “The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. (Acts 27:3)” Sidon is located on the same latitude as Damascus. It is the seat of the Antioch Church and can be regarded as Paul’s headquarters. What a great grace it is to be able to fellowship with brothers and sisters in the church while in chains, share with each other, and build each other up! Let’s look at the second point:
Prepared Aristarchus
Who is Aristarchus? The Bible says that he was a Thessalonian from Macedonia, a member of the kingdom of Macedonia at the northwest end of the Aegean Sea. What’s so special about this person? Why does the Bible seem to introduce him in a higher profile? First, Aristarchus the Macedonian. Speaking of Macedonia is a bit embarrassing. It is sandwiched between Greece and Persia, swinging left and right. It was not until Alexander succeeded to the throne in 336 BC that the glorious era of the Greek Empire began. Aristarchus may have also inherited the heroic spirit of the Greeks. He was not afraid of danger and suffering and always accompanied Paul. According to the record in Acts Chapter 19, Aristarchus began to follow Paul when he was in Ephesus on Paul’s third missionary journey. From Asia to Achaia, from Macedonia to Jerusalem, from Jerusalem to Caesarea, until this time from Caesarea to Rome, Aristarchus was by his side.
Secondly, traveling together with one heart and one mind. The Bible says, Festus has decided for us to sail to Italy. We here should include Luke, Aristarchus, and Paul. Because it was Luke who wrote it, he did not write his name, but used “us” to write it down. Judging from the speed and harmony with which Aristarchus and Paul’s team fit in with each other, Aristarchus may have been a Jew who had lived overseas for many generations. He was the one who accompanied Paul to the end, until he was martyred for the Lord in Rome when Emperor Nero came to power. Paul calls him his “fellow worker” and “my fellow prisoner” in Philemon. In Colossians, Paul said that he was “the comforter of my soul.”
Finally, the Bible mentions this man three times. Aristarchus was originally a little-known figure, but he was named three times by the Bible. Why? Will he have any great achievements? Or are we overlooking something big? After repeated investigations, I came to the conclusion that the reason why Aristarchus is recorded three times in the Bible is precisely because of his insignificance. He does not seek fame or gain, tries his best to hide himself, and is determined to be a small figure and an ordinary person. However, there was one thing in his life that pleased God: loyalty and being faithful to the Lord! If a person is not faithful to the Lord, it is impossible to be of the same mind as the church in the team, and it is impossible to be a co-worker on Paul’s team. Let’s look at the third point:
Boarding the ship to Rome
In today’s scripture, there are several words related to ships that are worth mentioning separately. First, a ship of Adramyttium. Verse 2: There was a ship of Adramyttium, which was going to go along the seashore in Asia. This sentence was understood by people who were sailing or traveling by sea at that time. Adramyttium was a seaport located south of Troas on the southwestern coast of Asia Minor. The centurion did not find a ship that led directly from Caesarea to Rome, but he found a ship that led to the field of Adramyttium. The important thing is that this ship was going to follow the coastal sailing custom at that time, and it had to go along the coast of Asia. This way it will not be difficult to find a boat that changes to Rome on the way.
Secondly, a ship of Alexandria. The Bible says that when they had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, they came to Myra in Lycia. From a geographical point of view, Myra in Lycia is the southernmost point of Asia Province. At that time, Egypt was the granary of the Roman Empire, and ships transporting grain would always stop at Myra in Lycia. It is not difficult to imagine that the centurion was an experienced officer and was very familiar with the sea routes to and from Rome. According to the centurion’s experience, it should be a high probability to encounter a ship traveling between Rome and Egypt in Myra. Sure enough, the hard work paid off. There the centurion saw a ship belonging to Alexandria, which was going to Italy, so he asked us to get on board.
Finally, we docked at Fair Havens for repairs. When they got on the ship, they encountered a blocking wind. In fact, there has been no favorable wind since leaving Sidon. It seems to indicate that Paul’s journey was not easy and full of risks. After leaving Myra, they moved south along Cnidus and arrived at Fair Havens, which today belongs to the Greek island of Crete. Crete is really not simple. This fifth largest island in the Mediterranean is the source of ancient Greece and even Western civilization. Luke’s description of stopping our eyes on this land must have God’s good intentions. In this sea full of bright reefs, dark rocks, and turbulent winds, unknown dangers and obvious crises are everywhere. Paul needs to pray quietly and seek God’s will.
Conclusion
Well, thank the Lord! Going to Italy by ship is risky. However, in everything they go through, those who belong to God will have God’s guidance. Next, Paul’s boatload of people will encounter danger, and Paul’s faith in the Lord becomes the salvation of the boatload of people.
Let us pray……
Acts 27:1-8
1 And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius.
2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica.
3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
4 And putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us.
5 And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia.
6 There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board.
7 We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone.
8 Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
