I've always found two things about this passage fascinating. The first is that Peter's situation doesn't change when he sees the wind -- it's his attention that changes. Peter was standing on the water when his attention was focused on Jesus, and the wind was roaring, but Peter wasn't afraid. But when he turns his attention from Jesus, then he is afraid, and he beings to sink.
The second thing is that Jesus reacts immediately, instinctively, to Peter's danger. Jesus doesn't wait until Peter sinks or gets two-thirds of the way under the water to reach out. Jesus isn't trying to teach Peter a lesson - Jesus loves Peter and reacts to save him. Jesus waits until after he has saved Peter to ask about Peter's doubt.
We are all Peter. We all have diverted attention, looking around at the world, and often ending up very afraid. When we keep our attention focused on Jesus, and knowing both the promises Jesus has made and the ability Jesus has to keep all those promises, then we're less afraid. And when we do get afraid, may we remember that Jesus is always ready to save, willing to save, strong enough to save.
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