Matthew 14:30. But when he saw the wind. ‘Boisterous,' or ‘strong,' is omitted by the best authorities. He was going against the wind. This favors the theory of their course, advanced in the notes on Matthew 14:24. The other view would imply that Jesus had walked past them and turned towards them. So long as Peter looked to Jesus only, he had by faith the power of Jesus to rise above the waters, but when he looked at the waves, beginning to doubt, he began to sink. Peter could swim (John 21:7); yet in his terror he seems to have lost even his natural attainments. To be near Christ in person avails nothing, unless we are near Him by faith. Peter sinks without Christ; clinging to his successors instead of Christ, must be in vain.

Lord, save me. Comp. Psalms 107:27-28. His faith, too weak to enable him to walk to Christ, was strong enough to call to Christ.

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Old Testament