Another Year Around the Son 5.28.2025
Read Numbers 30, Acts 27:1-44
Have you heard of the recent archaeological find in a maximum security prison in Israel? It’s called the The Megiddo Mosaic. This mosaic floor was built during a time of persecution, and it boldly proclaims “Jesus is Lord” wow wow wow. It is the earliest christian church (a gathering location of worshippers of the God Jesus Christ) and mentions a Roman centurion and the creator of the mosaic and four women. This church is roughly 100 years before the nicene creed. Centurions were playing a role in the spread of the veracity of the gospel from the centurion watching over Jesus at the crucifixion “saying, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’” (Matt. 27:54) to the Centurion, Cornelius in Acts 10:1-48 whose prayers and alms came before the highest court for his selection for the Holy Spirit’s entrance to the gentile world. In our reading today see the merits of the centurion Julius. It strikes me how the LORD in his command to take the gospel to Rome used a centurion once again.
“Easton’s Bible Dictionary:” “The centurions mentioned in the New Testament are uniformly spoken of in terms of praise, whether in the Gospels or in the Acts. It is interesting to compare this with the statement of Polybius that the centurions were chosen by merit, and so were men remarkable not so much for their daring courage as for their deliberation, constancy, and strength of mind.”
Julius was selected by merit. His kindness to Paul and intervention in saving Paul’s life was critical to the spread of the gospel and protection of the apostle.
The ship in peril had aboard men driven by honor and integrity.
Paul lived with such integrity perhaps this is why Julius would allow his to visit his friends in port. Acts 27:3 NET His faith will impact all his shipmates 276 lives will be saved from death because of Paul’s witness and faith.
Lord I pray for the integrity like Paul wrote of in Titus 2:7-8 in your church once again.
“7 in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8 sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.“
Consider the spread of the gospel in the early years, who was chosen, and how this highly persecuted company of believers reached the known world. It’s interesting to note the gospel in Acts 10 reached a centurion of the “Italian cohort”, and now the gospel is reaching a centurion again. We don’t know the follow up from this Roman’s life, like if he converts to becomes a believer in Jesus Christ, but the undeniable witness of the Lord’s hand on everyone aboard that ship with Paul will reach the Augustine cohort starting with the witness, Julius.
Whoever has Christ has a command to preach the gospel, and in Acts 10 Peter will publicly preach, and the Holy Spirit will fall but in Acts 27 Paul’s integrity, honor, and decisions inspired by the voice of the Lord will preach —his life is a witness.
Let us preach using both words and circumstantial witnessing.
Paul will reach Italy. And this gospel will hit the entire imperial guard. Philippians 1:12-13 NET
Where do you need to take courage today?
The God who we serve, and the God to whom we belong is still with us.
Lynda Murphy The faith of Paul impacts everyone on the ship. All are saved. Who is “sailing” with you that needs your whole hearted belief in the word of the Lord? Everyone. So go first. “Break bread in the presence of everyone” Encourage someone today. Pray with or for someone and see what happens.
“All of them were encouraged and they themselves also took food.” (Acts 27:36)
If your discouraged today try this chocolate cake!
Chocolate Olive Oil Cake
- ¾ cup (180ml) extra-virgin olive oil, more for greasing the pan
- ½ cup (70g) good-quality unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup (120ml) boiling water
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1⅓ cups (165g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup sugar if you want it sweeter or (155g) super fine sugar 1 T, malted barley syrup
- 3 flax eggs
- Cyprus flake salt (or flaky sea salt)
Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Prep a 9-inch springform baking pan by lining the base and sides with parchment paper.
Sift the cocoa into a medium bowl and whisk in the boiling water until smooth. Whisk in the vanilla, then add sugar, olive oil, and flax eggs.
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture until it is a smooth batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and sprinkle with flaky salt. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, till your tester toothpick comes out clean, no gooey cake on it.
(Charity) I’ve been a sub at a local retirement home and taught this passage for our bible study. It seems no matter how old you are, you have a distinct and fresh memory of the storms at sea. This lead to a conversation of taking courage in the hopeless circumstances. Here is a snippet.
