"O Master," the man cried passionately, "I really do believe! Help me to be rid of my doubt and fear!" Andrew realized that the man was like himself: torn between faith and doubt. "Master, help me to believe too," murmured Andrew. Jesus turned to the boy and spoke to him. He gave a loud cry and then relaxed. "He is dead!" the father exclaimed. Jesus stooped and took the pale hand of the youth. Immediately he sat up; then to the astonishment of everyone he stood. Jesus did not wait for the father's thanks. He did not even glance at the crowd, but turned to his disciples. "You had no power because you had no faith," he said directly. "If you truly believe in God, evil cannot stand against you. Without faith, you are helpless. But even the tiniest bit of real trust is mighty enough to change the whole world!" [Illustration] 12. THE GREATEST AMONG US The next morning the disciples could not help noticing that Peter acted differently. He had been as downcast and silent yesterday as the rest--but now he was talking eagerly with James and John as they walked ahead of the other men. "If John the Baptizer really was Elijah," exclaimed Peter, "then the Kingdom ought to be very near!" "Will John be raised from the dead?" asked James. "Jesus said that the Messiah would rise," remarked Peter. James said, "I don't see what he could mean by that." "Do you remember the voice from the cloud?" interrupted John. "Those were the same words that he heard when he was baptized: 'You are my beloved Son!' Only this time we heard the voice too." "It said, 'Listen to him!'" Peter's voice showed the awe he felt. "I don't know what this vision means, but I am sure he is the Messiah himself!" James and John did not reply. They needed their breath because they were climbing a steep hill. When they reached the crest, all the Twelve stopped to rest. The road had gradually turned east, and now the green lowlands of the upper Jordan Valley lay behind them. But the men did not look back; they had eyes only for the gleaming city that lay in the shallow valley ahead of them, Caesarea Philippi. Beyond the domes and colonnades of the city rose more mountains, ridge after ridge, climbing finally to the snowy crest of the range, over nine thousand feet above. The level valley before them, however, was green and fertile. Groves of trees and neatly planted fields reached to the very edge of the foothills on all sides of the city. Caesarea Philippi seemed like a diamond set among green jewels. The columns of several pagan temples reminded the travelers that this lovely city was the home of Philip, the son of Herod the Great. He had spent much money to make it beautiful. But the disciples found little pleasure in the sight. "Heathen people building temples to worship idols!" murmured James. As the men descended the hill they walked along the foot of a high cliff, rising to their left.