IT Was a Dark and Stormy Night
August 9, 2026. Matthew 14:22-33. Richard Senum
My friend, let me tell you what kind of day I’ve had with Jesus and the others who follow him. And especially what happened to me last night out on that windy Lake Gennesaret:
Yesterday morning we heard some sad news about John – the one who was baptizing people in the Jordan River. And he’s the one who baptized Jesus as well. Although – after all we have seen and heard about Jesus - none of us felt that he needed to be baptized. We didn’t see any sin in him. He is the most honest – caring – compassionate man I have ever met. He is a very Godly man. Like a prophet but more.
Well – that non-Jewish King Herod and his adulterous wife – Herodias had John killed. Apparently – we heard that Herod had John’s head cut off. I mean – what kind of an evil person does that to an innocent – good man. Especially a prophet like John. I quess it says a lot about the people that rule over us.
We were all very sad – but Jesus seemed to take it harder that the rest of us. So he went off in a boat to be alone – he does that a lot.
But then - so many people started to come around to where we were to see him. It was a very large crowd! Probably the largest since he called me and my brother Andrew to follow him. There must have been ten to twelve thousand people - men, women, children – whole families were there to see and hear and be healed by Jesus. When he returned the crowd was there waiting for him.
There were sick people – blind people – people with broken bones – the lame and crippled. Jesus healed them all. You should have been there to see it. Even those who appeared to be possessed by a demon were healed. Everyone who came to him for help was healed.
We had seen him heal people before and drive out demons but this was a lot more and he never seemed to get tired.
A while back we did the same when he sent us out in twos to the countryside and villages. He sent us out with “…authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. (And) We healed the sick and drove out demons.” It wasn’t because of who we were. We are sinful men. It was all because of the authority Jesus gave us.
My friend I know there is something in Jesus that is from God. He has to be from God because no one can do the miraculous things he does unless he is from God or is God.
Jesus spent the whole day healing all the people that came to him – he didn’t turn anyone away. But like everything else we’ve heard him say and seen him do -- none of it seems to make any rational sense to us. I’ve tried to tell others about the miraculous things he does but they don’t believe me. They say such things don’t happen in the world. They say either I’m lying or I’m crazy or maybe a little of both.
But you – my friend- I tell you - it is all true. I’m telling you what I have heard and seen so that you can believe what I’m saying about Jesus.
Well anyway. Jesus was healing all those who came to him. But it was getting late in the day and we were all getting a little hungry. None of us brought any food and neither did the people who were there.
It seemed obvious that we should go into the nearby towns and villages and get something to eat. I mean – that is what most people would do. But not Jesus! He tells us to give the people something to eat. REALLY!! We didn’t have any food and even if we did – how on earth could what we have had been enough to feed the thousands that were there? It would be impossible.
But I’ve learnt something else about Jesus. Nothing is impossible for him.
Then my brother – Andrew – who always liked to point out the obvious – knew there was a boy who had five barley loaves and two small fish in his bag. And Andrew says “how far will they go among so many.” We were all thinking to ourselves – good for you Andrew – point out the obvious. When Jesus sees how little there is he’ll send everyone away and we can go into the village and get a decent meal.
Well my friend – isn’t that what most people would do?
But I’m pretty sure that Jesus knew what he was going to do all along to feed us and all those people.
Y’ know what he did?
Well first he told all the people to sit down – it was a grassy place so it was a nice place to sit. Then we watched as he took the bread and the fish – looked up to heaven and thanked God for the food.
He broke the bread and the fish into pieces – put it in a basket for each of us and told us to feed it to the people and give them as much as they wanted. And we ate as much as we wanted as well. And the best part --- the baskets were never empty – they were always full.
My friend we cannot explain how so little was miraculously multiplied a thousand times to feed so many. It really was a miracle.
And you know what else? Everyone was fully satisfied – I mean I was full. It was like we had a great home cooked meal. It was good food from just five barley loaves and two fish.
My friend I’m telling you the truth. I witnessed and experienced that miracle and I have seen other miracles before yesterday. What power Jesus has.
And that’s not all. Let me tell you what happened late that night out on the windy lake Gennesaret. It’s even more amazing then when Jesus fed all those people.
On the shore near where we fed the people was one of those big fishing boats my brother and I used to fish with.
After we all ate and were satisfied - Jesus told us to get into the boat and go to the other side of the lake ahead of him. We didn’t really think about how he was going to meet us after we crossed the lake – it’s a long walk going around the lake.
Then he sent all the people away. And again – we saw him go up the mountain to to be alone.
Anyway - we weren’t that from the shore – maybe a few miles – and the wind came up like a gale - and it was blowing against us. We rowed for hours. We took turns rowing and it was all we could do to keep from floundering or being driven back onto the rocks.
We were scared – I mean - it was really terrible. We were soaking wet – we were cold to the bone - we were tired – we felt we would die in that storm. We had no control over what was happening – we were at the mercy of the wind and the waves. The fear of death overwhelmed us. It was swirling around the boat – it was in the air and we could see it in each other’s eyes.
But then Jesus!
Near morning we saw a figure WALKING ON THE WATER toward us. It looked like a ghost. Was this the Angel of Death?
It wasn’t a ghost and as the figure came nearer - it was Jesus. He calls out to us and said; “It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Ya – don’t be afraid – we were scarred to the bone by this time. But seeing Jesus --- somehow everything seemed to be OK. I wasn’t afraid anymore.
I wanted to go to him. I called out to him “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” He said “Come.” As simple as that – and so I climbed over the side of the boat and started -- walking on the water to Jesus. I had to go to him – something inside of me compelled me to go no matter what. Ever since the day he called Me and Andrew - something always drew me to Him.
At first I didn’t even think about the storm as I was walking on the water. I was so focused on him. I needed to be with him – My LORD.
But then I turned away from looking at him and I saw the storm – felt the rain and the wind – and I was scarred again. Right away I started to sink into the water. And my only thought at that moment was Jesus -- so I yelled out to him; “LORD, save me.” He reached my hand and lifted me up and we got into the boat. Then the storm died down and immediately – I mean instantly - we were in Capernaum. We were still miles from the other side then - all of a sudden, we were there. How does that happen. We can’t explain it.
MY LORD Jesus – He saved me and all who were in that boat. He saved our lives.
WHAT! You say. Yes, I walked on the water. When I was looking at Jesus I felt peaceful and safe and walked on the water as though it was solid ground. But as soon as I looked around me – saw the raging storm – felt the wind and the rain – I began to sink into the water. I was afraid again but Jesus saved me when I called out to him. He lifted me up out of the water where I would have drowned and died.
It’s true! All of it. Just as I told you. I witnessed and experienced those things.
My friend - during my time with Jesus – I saw how he healed people and drove out demons with just his words or just a touch. He saved me and my fellow Disciples from drowning. And – My Friend – he will save you. He must be the one all the prophets spoke about. He is God living among us.
GOSPEL Matthew 14: 22-33
Have you ever witnessed to people and told them about Jesus? I have.
We do the best we can to plant a seed of truth. It’s like the parable of the Sower of the seed from what Erin preached a few weeks back. Some listen and hear and some do not – some cannot.
In today’s postmodern secular world - the words go in one ear and go out the other.
Not that long ago people would listen politely and say something like; That’s good for you but not for me. But today more people – and especially some politicians and those from eastern cultures who are more likely to become violent. So be careful who you witness to.
As I read this account of Peter walking on water – I thought how much more effective were the testimony of those in the early church because of their personal encounters with Jesus. There was a level of conviction that we simply don’t have. We deposit seeds and have to let the Holy Spirit work on peoples heart.
As we watch the decline in western cultures, I fear that so many people will not be saved. And ultimately - they will face a judgement that is terrifying to imagine.
What really breaks my heart is that there are family and friends that we love dearly who may never accept the saving grace of Jesus. And for those we should pray more fervently because the time is short.
Let’s pray:
LORD – we pray that your Holy Spirit works on the hearts and minds of those who ignore you or reject you. That they come to know of your love for them. That you died and shed your life saving blood for them so that they will not suffer God’s wrath.
In Jesus name; AMEN
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