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1. Here was a great multitude in the direst peril needing salvation. The good and the bad, the learned and the ignorant, the aristocrat and the plebeian, the rich and the poor, were all represented here, and were all alike in danger. Sin reduces all men to the same level, and annihilates all social and other distinctions. "God be merciful to me a sinner," is a prayer appropriate to prince or pauper.

2. This multitude is strengthened for the impending effort by the supply of immediate wants. A great struggle was at hand, for which they would have been unequal but for that physical strength which food only can give and maintain. So the sinner convinced of his need of salvation, and "without strength" in himself, needs a Divinely imparted strength for all the sacrifice and effort required for the renunciation of self and sin and consecration to Christ. This is supplied by the Divine promises, and by grace for the time of need.

3. Being strengthened, as the first requirement for safety, the crew lightened the ship by throwing every superfluity overboard. The cargo was a valuable one; but in comparison with life what was it, or the "whole world"? So wealth, learning, social position, etc., of great value under certain circumstances, may be hindrances in the way of salvation, and must be abandoned. What things are gain to us must be counted loss for Christ and His salvation.

4. Light came and revealed the only means of safety. They knew not the land, but they saw the way of escape, and, like sensible men, they availed themselves of it (ver. 39). What cared they for the geological formation of a "certain creek"? What cared they whether it were constructed according to the accepted principles of harbour architecture? "If it were possible" they would "thrust in the ship" there. And so the light of the Spirit is thrown on the Cross. He takes of the things of Christ and shows them. What has the sinner to do with their conformity to his own opinion, or the opinion of others, of what should constitute the means of salvation? As it is gloriously possible let him thrust in his ship there without asking any questions, and trust to the result.

5. Like rational creatures they availed themselves of the only means of escape at all risks. That which might have been useful elsewhere they unceremoniously abandoned, and taking up anchors, and loosing rudder bands, simply hoisted the mainsail, committed themselves to the sea, and made for shore. Let the convinced sinner thus, cutting himself off from his past, simply yield to the movements of the Spirit who not only enlightens but impels. Loose the moorings! Hoist the mainsail of faith! there is now nothing for it but that — and the Spirit who bloweth where He listeth will fill the sail.

6. The ship ran aground, and the passengers were exposed to tremendous hardship (ver. 41). Not a few have experienced spiritually what was suffered here. Faith laying hold of Christ renders the soul safe, but the "hinder part" is "broken by the violence of the waves." And nowhere more than just here is the malignity of Satan exhibited (ver. 42. Cf. Christian at the Wicket Gate). But the Christian need fear not the violence of the waves of this troublesome world on his bark, nor the machinations of the adversary, for he knows that no weapon that is formed against him shall prosper.

7. Salvation, however, comes at last (ver. 44). They lost everything but their lives, and man can afford to lose everything but his soul.

(J. W. Burn.)

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KJV: And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea.

WEB: When they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.