Acts 27: The Storm and Shipwreck

The Storm and Shipwreck

While traveling at sea, a stormy wind called a northeaster struck the ship. They could not fight it and had to let it control them. Fear struck the men aboard as they thought they would run aground (crash) so they began to get rid of cargo one day. The next day they started to get rid of the ship's tackle. Many days passed and the storm persisted and the storm did not let up and they lost hope in being saved (Acts 27:13-20). 

In verse 21-26 Paul assures them that he has faith in the Lord as God has saved him from before in regard to being killed and imprisoned and being able to state his case before Caesar. In verses 30-32, some men wanted to jump ship but Paul let them know that if they did, they would not be saved and the men due to their trust in Paul cut away the small boat attached to the ship for just such situations. Paul continues to encourage the men and gather them together to eat. All in all there were 276 people and after they ate that lightened the ship as the threw the remains overboard. They eventually shipwrecked, but all men were saved just as Paul had stated in the Holy Spirit.

Overall, this all reminds me of Proverbs 3:5. The men did not want to trust in God or even speak to God, they just reacted to what seemed natural. Just because it seems like the best option, without consulting God, then it may not be an option for you at all. If those men had taken a small boat instead of a large ship that fit 276 people on it, then what good would a small boat be in that storm. When in fear, look to God. Ask Him for direction. Ask Him to lead. We can lean on our own feelings and make decisions, but it is not always the best way.

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Matthew 15:6- Gods Way

Matthew 15:6 "...So for the sake of your tradition you have made void  the word of God." commentary- The Pharisees were always trying to trip up Jesus's teachings with their ways. There was a ceremony of hand washing before eating made by elders not by scripture. These Pharisees thought that Jesus's  disciples were not being respectful to the elders because they didn't do what was the tradition. The Pharisees thought if you did not wash your hands before you ate then you were defiled from the inside. Yet, Jesus calls out their sin and hypocrisy with them not honoring their father & mother (verses 4-9). The Pharisees thought that their laws, traditions and ways were more honorable than those that God already had established.

In verse 10 Jesus explains that it is not about what someone eats that defiles them, but what comes out of someone's mouth. What someone eats is passed through their body (verse 17), but what comes out of the mouth is in the heart (verse 18).

Jesus is not saying don't wash your hands if they are dirty before you eat, but what he is saying is that what is most important about you is what is in your heart. That is what will corrupt you, not what you eat, but what you think and feel. When you read verse 19 you see it says "For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander." Many of these people may feel are acceptable, but according to Jesus, they are not. Many have placed man's laws above God's.

Where do you see that happening today?