I stopped there intentionally. I know we have heard time and again that Peter took his eyes off of Jesus, started to sink, and cried out, “Lord, save me!” And it’s true, Peter did all of that—but let’s not forget only two men have EVER walked on water, and one of those people was Peter. I think we need to spend a moment right there! Peter said, “If it’s You, tell me to come out there.” And the moment he heard Jesus say “Come,” he got out of the boat and started walking on the lake. Think about that for just a moment. Imagine yourself on a boat in the middle of a lake. Jesus walks up and says, “Come on out here and walk around.” Let me honest here; I love Jesus with everything in me, and I’d like to believe that I’d jump out of that boat and start running, but the science student in me would certainly have some questions.
I have heard countless sermons admonishing Peter for taking his eyes off Jesus. But just for a moment, place yourself in Peter’s shoes—he asks to walk with Jesus on the water, and the next moment, he’s standing on a lake. He realizes he is defying the laws of science and is doing something that should be impossible. He is actually walking on the water! And then, he begins to notice that it’s windy out there, really windy, and he becomes afraid. Is that not a human response? We are quick to judge Peter for taking his eyes off Jesus, but what did he do next? He called out to Jesus for help!
The Manna Chef 