I frequently try to do little reflections on the morning prayer readings from our daily office. Yesterday we looked at Jonah and today I want to take a peek at Acts.
Acts 27 contains the account of the harrowing sea adventures of the prisoner Paul as he was in transport to Rome. The boat contained 276 folks (although other ancient versions say it was 76). In either case it is a bunch of folks. There were sailors, Roman soldiers, various prisoners in addition to Paul and cargo. These journeys were always difficult as the sudden appearance of storms was a constant threat, but it was worse at this time of year. Paul gave a warning not to continue. However, not surprisingly, the prisoner's voice was ignored. After a surprisingly pleasant start, the storms soon came and buffeted the ship day and night. One can well imagine the terror of being in such a storm tossed ship. Death no doubt appeared imminent.
For two weeks they lived in constant turmoil. They cannot eat and they have all but lost hope. Paul, ever humble, tells them that this would not have happened if they had listened to him. However, he adds another element which is not normal every day fare. An angel, he reports, had appeared to him and gave him a message that they would not perish, though they would lose the ship. Paul shares his faith in God and explains that the Lord wants him to appear before Caesar. One assumes this is God's motivation to keep the boat afloat!
There is, however, an interesting turn. And it is theologically rich for reflection. Not long after, a group of sailors are in a small boat, on the pretext of working the anchors, but in fact they intend to abandon ship. Paul warns the centurian, if those men escape we are all doomed. I find this interesting because it implies (actually more than implies, flat out states) that God's protection is not without limits (in this case). The sailors are needed to make the trip safely. It is always tempting to pull the "God can do anything" card, but it is just as important to remember that He doesn't always. It also means that we might need to remember that human agency is more important (in the Bible) than we sometimes think.
The ship ends up stuck in a bay, battered to nothing by raging waves, but the occupants either swim or float on debris to safety. The story continues with Paul getting bit by a snake and the locals assuming he must be very bad (to escape death at sea and then die by snakebite). In a rather comical narrative, Paul flicks the snake hanging off his hand into the fire and the natives sit patiently waiting for him to swell up and die. He doesn't. So they assume he is a god. Next thing Paul lays hands on the chief's sick son, heals him, and then spends the rest of his time healing all manner of sick folk.
I have written frequently about such things, but it is a reminder that God's power is available to the church as protection and salvation (all manner of healing). The attention to eyewitness detail (the ship had two heads as figureheads, the chief is named Publius, Paul is carrying brushwood) is a reminder that this story is true and remembered in great detail. And the miraculous is almost a side note.
We had a big discussion this week about our propensity to be closed off the supernatural and miraculous. Our unbelief serves both as a deterent to such occurences and blinders to see it when it does. Our theologies (usually based on the Bible filtered through very unbiblical assumptions) can often be as much a hindrance as a help.
We are having a Healing Conference in Memphis October 26-28 at the Marriott. You can get info at our church website (and see a photo of two of my kids) http://www.standrewscollierville.org/ God uses people and people are part of the deal. There will be teacing, prayer, worship and lots of healing. There will be meals. Much of it will be mundane. Some of it miraculous. All of it better if you are there! We expect awesome things to happen because God will be glorified in and through His servants. Will you join us?
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