Summer At Sea: Week 13 Day 2

ACTS 27:33-38

33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat. “For the last fourteen days,” he said, “you have gone without food—you haven’t eaten anything. 34 Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head.” 35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38 When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing grain into the sea.

Food is essential for humans to stay alive and flourish. Some people eat too much food, others not enough. People have tried various fad diets or fasting for different periods of time. Fasting was often mentioned in the Bible as part of religious traditions. Food in general plays a large part in society, as it is often the centerpiece that brings people together.

It is unclear why Paul and the other passengers who were adrift in a destructive storm on the Mediterranean Sea did not eat food for two weeks. They had plenty of wheat, which may have been the main cargo on the ship for the purpose of being sold in Italy. At times they were probably fighting against the tremendous waves and wind just to stay alive, or maybe they were fasting on purpose due to the situation. Paul, however, in his usual godly confidence and wisdom, urged all of them to eat, and he thanked God at the same time. It was probably a diverse group of travelers, many of which were likely not Christians. Paul lived out his faith in God in every moment and also took care of basic human needs. Paul not only gave them man-made food, but spiritual food as well.