NOTES for Act 27:27-44
The Book of Acts is the story of Christ's continuing presence in the Church after His Ascension. We have already read how the apostles preached, healed, and comforted — that is, how they did everything Jesus had commanded them when He said, “The one who believes in Me will also do the works that I do, and will do greater works than these” (John 14:12). Today's episode continues this parallel between the earthly, tangible presence of Christ described in the Gospel and the actions of His disciples. Once again there is a ship, once again a storm, frightened and desperate people, and among them someone who sees the meaning of his life in imitating Christ. He does not stop the storm with an authoritative word, but he comforts the people and gives them hope of rescue, repeating words once spoken by the Teacher: “Not one of you will lose a hair from his head.” As Paul wrote, not every one of us is called to perform real miracles and signs. Yet his appeal, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ,” is addressed to each of us. And today we have read what this looks like in real life...