Paul was a prisoner in a ship with 276 people. They were sailing to Rome, Paul was on his way for trial. It was a very hard sailing. There was a storm and the ship drifted on the sea. Paul had warned the crew many times, but they didn’t listen to him.
Finally, they listened to him:
“As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, “Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength,f for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves” (ESV Acts 27,33-36)
The people needed to eat so they could get strength. He didn’t want any hair to perish from any head.
Afterwards, he took the bread, gave thanks to God and broke the bread. The were alle encouraged.
It was as if he shared communion with the people. He knew bread and life came from God. He honored God and thanked Him. He knew his wisdom came from God. He didn’t just eat for himself; he didn’t just think about himself. He was a prisoner, but he urged them all to eat. He didn’t want anything to happen to them, he wanted to save their lives and he had the courage to speak up.
He broke the bread and shared the bread with the people.
He shared his faith in God and God’s life, goodness, love and grace with them all. And they were encouraged.
Encouraged – Greek: euthymoi – Adjective – Nominative Masculine Plural
Euthymoi = cheerful, having good courage. From eu (which means good) and thumos; in fine spirits
They were encouraged to eat, to live, to keep fighting for their lives, to not give up.
Paul shared God’s word and testified of Jesus.
Many of us are on a difficult journey, but we shouldn’t stop fighting for the good or stop eating or reading God’s word, and we’re encouraged to continue seeking and trusting God. As God lead us, we can also share with and encourage other people on our journey.
