**The Transfiguration and the Healing of a Boy with an Unclean Spirit**
One day, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, far away from the crowds. The air was crisp, and the path was steep, winding through rocky terrain and sparse vegetation. As they ascended, the disciples wondered why Jesus had chosen them for this journey. They had no idea what awaited them at the summit.
When they reached the top, Jesus began to pray. Suddenly, His appearance changed dramatically. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than any bleach on earth could make them. The disciples shielded their eyes, overwhelmed by the radiance. Then, two figures appeared beside Jesus—Moses and Elijah, the great prophets of old. They were talking with Him, their faces glowing with divine light. The disciples were awestruck, their hearts pounding with a mixture of fear and wonder.
Peter, always quick to speak, blurted out, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here! Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He didn’t know what else to say, for they were all terrified. As Peter spoke, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice boomed from the heavens: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” The disciples fell facedown, trembling with fear.
When they looked up, the cloud was gone, and only Jesus stood before them, His appearance returned to normal. He reached out and touched them, saying, “Get up. Don’t be afraid.” As they descended the mountain, Jesus instructed them not to tell anyone what they had seen until after He had risen from the dead. The disciples were puzzled by this, whispering among themselves about what “rising from the dead” could mean.
When they returned to the other disciples, they found a large crowd gathered. The teachers of the law were arguing with the remaining disciples. As soon as the crowd saw Jesus, they ran to Him, their faces filled with relief and hope. A man stepped forward, his eyes desperate. “Teacher,” he said, “I brought my son to You. He is possessed by a spirit that robs him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”
Jesus sighed deeply, His heart heavy with the unbelief He saw around Him. “You unbelieving generation,” He said, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.” The man hurried to his son and brought him forward. As soon as the boy saw Jesus, the spirit threw him into a violent convulsion. He fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.
Jesus asked the father, “How long has he been like this?” The man replied, “Since he was a child. The spirit has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus looked at him intently and said, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” Immediately, the father cried out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
Seeing the crowd gathering, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He commanded, “I order you, come out of him and never enter him again!” The spirit shrieked, convulsed the boy violently, and came out. The boy lay still, like a corpse, so much so that many in the crowd whispered, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and the boy stood up, whole and healed.
Later, when they were alone, the disciples asked Jesus, “Why couldn’t we drive out the spirit?” Jesus replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” He looked at them with compassion, knowing they still had much to learn about faith and dependence on God.
The day had been filled with divine revelation and miraculous power, yet it also revealed the disciples’ limitations and the persistent unbelief of the people. Jesus knew His time on earth was short, and He longed for His followers to grasp the depth of His mission and the power of faith in God. As the sun set, casting long shadows over the land, Jesus continued to teach and prepare His disciples for the trials that lay ahead, knowing that His ultimate purpose was to bring salvation to all who would believe.
