During a
northeaster that lasted many days the sailors decided to run their ship aground.
The ship struck a sandbar off the shore of Malta and broke apart. While the
soldiers wanted to kill the prisoners to keep them from swimming away and escaping,
the centurion wanted to spare Paul’s life and kept them from carrying out their
plan. “…He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and get to
land. The rest were to get there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this
way everyone reached land in safety” (Acts 27:43b-44 NIV). All 276 souls on
board survived. I see a similar situation when Jesus was arrested and his disciples
spared. The Lord’s words were fulfilled, “I have not lost one of those you gave
me” (John 18:9b NIV). While none were lost, it occurs to me that some disciples
are able to swim, while others paddle on planks.
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