Whose opinion to listen to between the two?
Acts 27:9-20; 7/14/2024/2024; BCBC/IOUC; Rev. Paul Wang
Introduction
In life, it is inevitable that you will encounter two or more different opinions, right? What to do? The simplest is the law of the jungle, the weak is prey to the strong, and let history be written by the victors! These are the ugly behaviors of the old self in the world, but new creations in Christ must have the heart of Christ and let the Holy Spirit rule in our hearts. Let’s look at the first point:
Beyond rational cognition
The distance from Myra to Fair Havens is 520 kilometers, so it does take a long time to travel. As they went, they passed the fasting festival. First, Paul’s exhortation to everyone. Paul and his party left Caesarea around the middle or late August of AD 58, it was already mid-September when they left Myra. The annual day of atonement should be in early October, and it was at this time that they came to Fair Havens. Generally speaking, after late September, the wind and waves in the Mediterranean Sea will gradually increase, and the risk factor will also increase. It’s not that the ship can’t sail, it’s just that what Paul received was inappropriate. Acceptance without proof is not easy for anyone. What Paul received came from God, and humans have no ability to prove God’s work. What do you think they should do? Of course, being disobedient and not listening to the advice of God’s servants is a most likely choice in this world.
Secondly, the centurion believed the ship owner. What choice did the centurion make? The Bible says: “But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. (Acts 27:11)” The centurion was the highest officer on the ship, and everyone obeyed him in the end. Because Fair Havens Harbor is not big, the ship owner said it is not suitable to spend the winter here. In addition, Greek culture emphasizes democracy, and most people on the ship decided to leave Fair Havens and spend the winter in Phoenix. Looking at the geographical location of Phoenix, it is indeed good: there are two harbors at the sea, one facing the northeast and the other facing the southeast. The reason is all due to the centurion’s choice of faith. This is the effect in people’s hearts, the core values in people’s hearts.
Finally, a gentle south wind blew, they saw their opportunity. Before people decline, they must have periods of madness. How high-spirited and arrogant was the group of people who went to dig money back then! Some people say that a few people should get rich first, but the result is that most people will get bad first. Looking around, money has become the boss. Children cannot lose at the starting line, parents cannot die before retirement, and no matter how poor they are, they must send their children to study abroad. Small waist, big crotch, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, high-speed rail, bullet train, everything is enough to make people feel proud. The Bible says: “When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete. (Acts 27:13)” Let’s look at the second point:
Finally the strong wind caught the ship
Some people say, what is responsibility? Responsibility is the duty one should fulfill, or what one should do. Is it possible to be irresponsible? Yes, but liability will chase you up the ass until it bites you. First, the consequences of not listening to advice. As the saying goes, good times don’t last forever and the south wind doesn’t last long! Paul once said when the ship docked in Fair Havens: “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also. (Acts 27:10)” This can be regarded as an accurate prediction, right? But who would have believed it before it happened? A prisoner, a ship owner, who can the centurion trust? Without asking to know that the centurion finally chose to believe in the ship owner and did not believe in what Paul said. The essence of this is that he did not believe in God behind Paul! Without faith, one cannot please God. When God’s joy is gone, there is only a curse left.
Next, Northeaster came. “Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. (Acts 27:14)” Northeaster is composed of two words, easter is Greek, meaning east wind; North is Latin, meaning north wind. Usually you won’t encounter this kind of northeasterly wind until after November 11th. It was now mid-October, and Northeaster came. Usually, pastors, ministers, and missionaries do not declare the outcome of a matter easily. Under normal circumstances, when it comes to sharing biblical principles, the choice is still left to the brothers and sisters to take responsibility. Unless they are specially moved by the Holy Spirit or are greatly filled with the love of God. I think Paul was filled with the Holy Spirit, then he said so.
Finally, helplessly let the wind blow away. The Bible says: “The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along. (Acts 27:15)” What’s the meaning? This is God’s declaration: that all men, including Paul, must pass through the end of human power. Isn’t your boat owner experienced? Didn’t you say that there won’t be a northeasterly wind before November? Where about the centurion? Where does your faith come from? If there was a next time, would you choose to believe a prisoner? What about most of the people on the ship? Will democracy be the bullying of the minority by the majority? Is it really easier to get things done when there are more people? Does having more people mean it’s always right? What about Paul? Aren’t you inspired by the Holy Spirit? Isn’t it time to experience risks with people who are unwilling to listen to your advice? Let’s look at the third point:
Waiting in despair for rescue
I hope that brothers and sisters will be familiar with Bible maps, otherwise you will be confused and not know what I am talking about. The journey I’m talking about now is on the Mediterranean Sea. The approximate location is from the Aegean Sea between Turkey and Greece to the southwest, to the Greek island of Crete, and then continue westward. First, collect the boat from the north of Cauda Island. Leaving Fair Havens, the Alexander sailed slowly along the south side of Crete. When they encountered a small island, they ran along the lee shore of the island. This island is called Gauda, which is today’s Gavdos. The word Cauda means miserable. Luke’s inclusion of this word would not be without meaning. How can a journey without faith in God not be sad? Because of the high winds and strong waves, the small boat originally used for escape and transporting people and cargo had to be put away. It was not easy to put it away. Luke seemed to be involved in the process of putting the boat away, so he used the word “merely” to describe how difficult it was.
Secondly, abandon the goods and tools to avoid the wind and waves. At this time, the wind and waves were getting stronger. The owner of the ship was worried that if the situation continued, the ship might float to the beach of Seldi, Libya, North Africa, and be stranded, so he removed the sail canopy from the mast. In order to reduce the weight of the ship, everyone threw the cargo and various equipment on the ship into the sea. This is also the Holy Spirit speaking to us, not to rely on worldly wealth and power. When the storm came, everything was tested. They were not reliable! There is no end to earning wealth in the world. Even if you make all the wealth in the world, it will surely be lost. What else can a man give in exchange for his life?
Finally, there was no trace of the sun, moon and stars. Looking at the problem from the perspective of the ship owner, abandoning the cargo means that the trip becomes meaningless. All the boating equipment was also lost, which meant that danger was coming. What’s worse is that the weather is not good, and even the sun, moon and stars are hiding from people. For a navigator at that time, this meant confusion and even despair! Luke said: “When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days and the storm continued raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved. (Acts 27:20)” Are you afraid of losing your direction in life and not knowing what will happen tomorrow? But thank the Lord! Although we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, the Lord in whom we trust, Jesus Christ, controls tomorrow!
Conclusion
Who do you listen to between the two opinions? How to listen? Did you hear it all? Will the centurion’s obedience be a lesson to you?
Let us pray……
Acts 27:9-20
9 Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast[a] was already over, Paul advised them,
10 saying, “Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives.”
11 But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said.
12 And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.
13 Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore.
14 But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land.
15 And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16 Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda,[b] we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat.
17 After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear,[c] and thus they were driven along.
18 Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo.
19 And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands.
20 When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.