A bay with a beach

“Now when day came, they could not recognize the land; but they did notice a bay with a beach, and they resolved to run the ship onto it if they could. And casting off the anchors, they left them in the sea while at the same time they were loosening the ropes of the rudders; and they hoisted the foresail to the wind and were heading for the beach.” (1) The “bay with a beach” is traditionally identified as St. Paul’s Bay. Although it was not a port, it was a place where a ship could be brought ashore. If they ran the ship aground on the beach, they could somehow make it to land. (2) The ship began to move toward the bay as fast as possible. (a) They lowered the oars on both sides of the ship and began rowing. This was an effort to increase speed. (b) They raised the foresail to catch the wind and propel the ship forward. “But they struck a reef where two seas met and ran the ship aground; and the prow stuck firmly and remained immovable, while the stern started to break up due to the force of the waves. The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, so that none of them would swim away and escape.” (1) Where two currents met, sand and mud accumulated, forming a shoal. From the ship, the shoal was not visible. The ship ran aground on the shoal and became stranded. The bow was deeply embedded in the sand and could not move, while the stern began to break apart under the force of the violent waves. (2) At this moment, the soldiers planned to kill the prisoner. If the prisoners escaped, the soldiers would face a death sentence themselves. If the prisoners (including Paul) were killed, then God’s promise would not be fulfilled. Here again, we see a spiritual battle taking place. “But the centurion, wanting to bring Paul safely through, kept them from accomplishing their intention, and commanded that those who could swim were to jump overboard first and get to land, and the rest were to follow, some on planks, and others on various things from the ship. And so it happened that they all were brought safely to land.” (1) The centurion sought to save Paul. He recognized that Paul was a trustworthy man. (2) The centurion gave three commands: (a) He stopped the soldiers’ plan to kill the prisoners. (b) He ordered those who could swim to jump first and swim to shore. (c) He instructed those who could not swim to hold onto floating debris and make their way to land. (3) Through the centurion’s orders, Paul’s prophecy was fulfilled. (a) The ship was destroyed. (b) However, everyone safely reached land. God is still at work through us today. Blessed are those who place their trust in God’s promises. Nothing is impossible for God.