This is the second time the disciples have witnessed first-hand the power of the Christ in a storm. In Matt 8 the disciples unsuccessfully battle a storm and Jesus sleeps through it all. Being awakened he commands the wind and the sea to cease and it does. Then the disciples ask “What sort of person is this?” Now as they once again are unsuccessful in another storm Jesus comes walking to them on the water. This time after the wind ceases they worship him and say “Truly you are the Son of God.”
As they ponder what has just transpired the disciples hear Jesus ask Peter ‘why did you doubt?’ Perhaps James remembers the disciples recounting this story and the truth principle derived from it: “the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind.” Unlike Jonah who knew what God could and would do in Nineveh, the disciples needed a faith lesson. Jonah did not call out to the Lord until he was “IN” the midst of the fish’s belly. Peter called out to Jesus “ON” the water. How many storms does Jesus have to bring into our lives before we stop and worship him? When we face a storm that God has pre-arranged do we wait until we are in the midst of the storm, do we doubt or do we have faith that the Son of God will immediately save us? Jesus save us should be our cry.