When Jesus reached the country of the Gadarenes, the first man to meet him was a man from the cemetery
with unclean spirits. Yes, when there is a strong light, the hidden things of evil are manifest. This man lived in
the mountains and in the tombs crying and cutting himself with stones. Efforts to hold the man in chains were
futile many times, for he broke the chains in pieces. No man could tame or control him. But the demons tremble
in the presence of the Son of God. After Jesus casts the devils out of him and into the pigs, the man sat normally,
clothed and in his right mind. The man now wants to follow Jesus but Jesus asks him to go home and tell all about
the commission of the Lord. The once demon possessed man begins to tell of his deliverance in the ten Greek cities
(Decapolis), and all men did marvel or wonder or think about this great demonstration of power. Men saw the madness
and nakedness of the man but Jesus saw beyond that into the crying, tormented soul and was moved with compassion
and set him free.
About 6 years ago, a doctor met me at the close of a service. He had a very unusual story. In his house was a servant
maid who was demon possessed. This woman would rise up early and work throughout the day with very little food.
Strange things began to happen at night times. The doorbell would ring at odd hours but there would be no one at
the door. At times this frail woman would make attempts to run out of the house in the middle of the night. The doctor
put a special lock on the door and would sleep with the key under his pillow. Yet this woman would open the lock and
run out into the night! Gradually her behavior worsened. The doctor, a God fearing Christian knew that this was a case
of demon possession. Many well meaning people tried to help the woman but failed and advised the doctor to send her
away to her village. The doctor however was made of sterner stuff and took this as a challenge to the dynamic gospel of
Jesus Christ. The maid did all her work well but began to eat lesser and less till she was living on a few spoons of rice
a day. Demons love to destroy the body they dwell in. (see Mark 5:13 also). One day the maid while continuing her
extremely abnormal behavior began to vomit blood.
The good doctor called for all possible help. His nephew, a specialist said that this was not a medical case. She
was prayed for but there seemed to be no deliverance. As a last attempt, she was taken to some men to have the
devils driven out of her. One of the men praying for her was suddenly attacked by the devils. Writhing on the floor,
this well meaning man had to be held down by strong men. Seeing the doctors concern for this wretched woman's
health a holy anger and compassion welled up in me.
I had just preached on why the name of Jesus is powerful. I asked the doctor to bring her to our Friday meeting and
assured him that there was a definite deliverance for her. As we lived in a small apartment with our three children,
the doctor was apprehensive of what might break out. I fasted that day and went to work as usual. Two pastors were
present that evening and the woman sat still through the meeting. The doctor told me that she had vomited much
blood and had eaten nothing that day. My soul was surging with compassion. The two pastors went to cast the devils
out of her. One of them became silent and thoughtful after a few moments. The other said that the devils were going
out and coming in again. He said that she should be brought to his church for 7 weeks. I laid my hand on her head
rebuked the devils and moved aside. The good doctor's last hope seemed to have been shattered. I turned to him and
assured him that she was delivered. With great uncertainty he took her home.
Early the next morning, the maid asked for food and ate 5 idlis (Rice Cakes) . Later on in the day she ate a plateful
of rice. All symptoms of demonic activity stopped that very day. Some months later, still completely healed, she
entered into the waters of baptism in complete surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. Bless God! His compassion’s,
they fail not!
How could this woman know Jesus as the Saviour from sin with demons wrecking her soul and body? When the
Saviour today looks on multitudes in weariness and fainting with sorrows, grief, sickness and sin. He is moved
with compassion. Several instances of salvation after dramatic scenes have taken place before our eyes. In
September 1993, we faced demons that had been evading us for 14 years. God gave us a great victory. I do not
wish to share this, at this moment as it would embarrass many. These experiences are not exclusive to any
ministry. Thousands of preachers, evangelists, pastors and devout servants of God who have been in frontline
ministry for many years can surely tell of countless such cases. It behooves ministers of God however not to
over emphasis these events and call it the "gift of casting out devils".
A man is invalid because of paralysis. Confined to his frame cot, there is no way he can get to Jesus by himself.
But concerned and loving friends carry the cot with the man and try to bring him into the house where Jesus was
ministering. Unable to make their way through, they carry him to the roof. Removing the roof tiles, they make a large
hole in the roof. With ropes tied to the cot they lower their friend down right before Jesus! What faith and courage and
determination! Jesus seeing this act of faith tells the sick man “Thy sins are forgiven thee!". Is there not a connection
between sin and sickness? (not always however). The paralyzed man and his friends faith for healing brings forgiveness
of sins first! Friends, salvation is an all conclusive word from the Greek word "sozo". It is a removal of all hindrances to
receive all that Adam lost by disobedience.
When Jesus forgave the sins of the paralytic, He was saying that He was God; the Pharisees knew that only God
could forgive sins (v.21). The sick man, his friends and all the sick in the room were eagerly waiting to receive all
that the Master had. But, like today, the scribes and pharisees questioned the authority of Jesus. If they had
had their way, the poor people would never have received the glorious blessings of God. But Jesus was authorized,
empowered by the Holy Ghost and sent by the Heavenly Father to declare and demonstrate the Father's love.
Jesus knowing the questionings of the pharisees asks them, "Is it easier to say, thy sins be forgiven thee or to
say, Rise up and walk?". That my friends, is the question I ask you today - Which is easy to say?
a) Do not worry, your sins are forgiven, everything will be all right, God bless you, etc
OR
b) Be healed, rise and walk, blind eyes open, deaf and dumb devil come out.
Which is easy to say and see on the spot? Friends, to say soothing comforting words of blessing is easy.
It does not require any visible, tangible manifestation. But to say words that require and demand corresponding
physical results is something else. To say 'Thy sins are forgiven' is one thing but to say ‘Rise up and walk' is a
very difficult thing. What if the man does not rise up and walk? Jesus would have become a laughing stock.
Jesus continues, "That all of you may know that I, the Son of Man has power on this earth to forgive sins, (He
now turns to the paralytic and speaks) I say unto you paralytic – Rise, take up your bed and go home".
Immediately the man rises, takes up his bed and walks home glorifying God. The people glorified God and
were filled with fear for they were in the presence of one who had proved His spiritual power with physical power.
To all who are invalid, in the throes of in and distress, in bed with incurable diseases I ask this question: what
would Jesus do, looking at you on your bed? He is waiting for you to look at Him or call on Him if you can.
Look up, and receive your miracle.
A 75-year old gentleman was in Dr. Santhosham’s Hospital in a coma. A diabetic with a wound in his foot,
one of his toes was amputated, but the gangrene was spreading. Because of his age, weakness and complications,
relatives and friends were expecting him to die. Some had come from out of Madras to see their beloved uncle for
the last time. We were informed, and when I got back from work I took my bottle of oil and walked with my wife
into the room. Powerful hospital smells, silent, gloomy loved ones, emergency oxygen tanks and medical staff
moving about greeted us. Within a few moments we began praying. His gangrene-infected foot was anointed
with oil. The gentleman came out of his coma for a few seconds. Glory to God, there was no funeral. He was
back home in a few days. Five years later, I had the privilege of praying for him on his 80th birthday. He would
eagerly await my visits and hear and receive the word of faith. He lived for about 2 more years till 82. I’ll meet him in heaven.
With long life the good Lord blesseth us.
He hates your suffering. He has paid the price for our spirit, soul, and body which now belongs to Him. Let Him
be glorified in you. Throw aside doubts, fears, unbelief, wrong counsel and receive which the Lord has for you.
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