HE TOOK BREAD, AND GAVE THANKS TO GOD

Luke’s account of Paul’s sea journey from Caesarea to Rome, in Acts chapter 27, reveals the Apostle’s spiritual stature in a remarkable way.

As the dangers increased, so did his moral authority. It is easy to forget, as we read the story, that he was a prisoner rather than a ship’s officer! Four times he made significant statements of warning or encouragement, vv. 10, 21-26, 31, 33, 34. Our text describes his behaviour immediately after his fourth utterance. He was concerned that his fellow travellers had gone without food for fourteen days. This was understandable in that they had been living at the stretch as they made what seemed like increasingly futile attempts to bring the ship safely ashore at some place.

It is easy for men, for whom death seems imminent, to panic as they fight for their lives. But Paul had already assured every one on board that ‘there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you’, v. 22. The only danger now was that of unbelief, so in his final utterance he urged them all to take food, and repeated the promise of deliverance - ‘there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you’, v. 34.

Then he practised what he preached. He took bread and gave thanks to God. This was no formality with Paul; no hurried repetition of a few well-worn words. He regarded his food as a timely provision from his Father in heaven. He knew who the One who was his great Provider. So, his thanksgiving flowed from a lively sense of gratitude; but it also flowed from a life of habitual communion. It was an act of worship; spontaneous and heartfelt.

It was also an act of witness, for he gave thanks ‘in presence of them all’. This was not done, of course, with the intention of parading his piety to gain approval. He was simply encouraging them to follow his example. They were weakened by their lengthy abstinence from food, and it was urgent for them to renew their strength. So, Paul ignored the storm and began his meal. And there must have been something contagious about his calm and buoyant attitude, for we read, ‘Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took some meat’, v. 36.