When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28 So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29 And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30 And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31 Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, “Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved.” 32 Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go.
33 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. 34 Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you.” 35 And 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. 36 Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37 (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.
39 Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40 So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41 But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42 The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43 But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44 and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.
The receiver runs down the field, does a sudden button-hook turn back toward the quarterback, and discovers the ball is right there, ready for him to catch. Completion! First down!
After taking a photo of a beautiful landscape, the photographer turns around and sees an amazingly beautiful flower. Snap. Process. Print. Enter. Win!
She’s searching for her mom or dad. She’s lost. She’s in a crowd. She doesn’t know what to do. Then she hears her name. She turns around and there’s her dad. She runs into his arms. Safe. Secure. Tears of relief flow from both.
The sailors aboard the ship carrying Paul and 275 others seek to escape what they believe is certain doom. Paul sees through their ploy. He warns the centurion and the soldiers. They must turn around. They must not abandon ship. Their escape boat is cut loose. Paul promises that they will be saved.
The soldiers were going to kill the prisoners so that none would escape. But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. They turn around figuratively-speaking, and at the centurion’s urging let them swim ashore. Lives saved. All 276.
Jesus’ first sermon recorded in Mark 1:15 is, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” Repent: turn around. Change your mind. Reconsider.
Repentance is a profound change of heart, turning away from sin and toward God, believing God is good, and trusting in him. This is not driven by fear of punishment, but by a heartfelt belief in God’s grace. It is a response to the Gospel, where one is not only contrite over his or her sins, but trusting in God’s mercy through Christ.
There are a few specific things in my life for which I am deeply sorry. I know I have done wrong, or failed to do the obvious right thing. There is no way I could ever make up for these things. But I trust God and rely on his mercy, and I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and the sins of the whole world. That includes your sins, dear reader.
In the case of the shipwreck Paul’s intervention on behalf of the people on the boat, and the centurion’s intervention in behalf of the prisoners both saved lives. All 276 were kept alive and reached land. When we turn around, away from sin, and toward Jesus, our lives are saved for all eternity, and we will reach the eternal Promised Land.
David Bahn - Reflections 
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