This awesome story from Sri Lanka this month is eerily similar to the story of the Legion of the Gerasenes in Mark 5:
“They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.”
Some 2000 years later we see Jesus do the same for this man Somaratne who lives in the village of Nikawaritiya, Sri Lanka. For many years this man has been possessed by evil spirits. He suffered from multiple health complications and was very weak. After just one prayer from our pioneer, not only was he completely released from all demonic captivity, he was also healed of all complications. He is now a very strong believer and wants to serve the Lord.
Just as the man in Mark 5 was completely healed, so too was this man from Nikawaritiya as he became overwhelmed with gratitude. What a great testimony to the power and love of Jesus. He then decided to go out and testify to Christ and see many more be won over for the Kingdom of God, ‘… So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them. ‘ [Mark 5:20]
This extraordinary story declares with confidence that ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. ‘ [Hebrews 13:8]