Reader’s Guide: “The Word for Today” Monday, August 26, 2013 Read – Acts 27:13-20 The plan to get to the harbor at Phoenix and spend the winter there fails. Luke tells us a storm called the Northeaster engulfs the ship and they are driven off course. Paul had told them that if they did not listen to him the result would be great loss of cargo and even lives. Soon the sailors begin to throw the cargo into the sea. Paul was right. Again it seems Luke wants his readers to recognize Paul’s ability to prophesy. As the story comes to a conclusion however it turns out that there is no loss of life – Paul is given that promise by God. Perhaps it is better to think of all this advice given by Paul as exactly that – Paul’s common sense. The story reminds readers of Acts of the story of Jonah. In that story too, the winds of a violent storm drive Jonah and the sailors along with him out into the midst of the Mediterranean Sea. They begin to throw the cargo overboard in that story too. And eventually it is Jonah who is thrown into the sea. There are certainly differences between the story of Jonah and this story but it is not a bad thing for readers of Acts to be thinking about that other sea voyage. In fact there are a number of sea voyages that might come to mind – some of them in the Bible and others not. The stories of Jesus out on the Sea of Galilee come to mind. So does the story of Noah and his family during the flood. And there are a few Psalms, particularly Psalm 107 that may be helpful to remember. And of course the great sea voyage of Odysseus is worth some thought. Eventually the storm becomes so violent that all hope is lost. Because the sailors could not see the sun or the moon for several days they had no idea where they were. Readers of Acts can feel the despair begin to settle in for the voyagers. And one begins to wonder if the power of nature will do what Jews and Romans could not – prevent Paul from arriving at Rome. Those who have read Luke’s gospel and the book of Acts to this point know that cannot happen. God is in control. The Spirit is directing the journey. Luke’s first readers likely were living in a time when it was more difficult to be a Christian than it is for any of us. Their lives may have felt as if they were being tossed to and fro on the winds of the sea. This story may well have given them hope. This story can give any of us hope as we find ourselves in the storms of life. Luke, the master storyteller, is weaving a story that informs and inspires his readers. It is good to just enjoy the story.