Reach Out | Charissa Torossian

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This thread starter provides a summary of the sermon prepared by Charissa Torossian for the Women's Day of Prayer 2025. Source material is attached for your reference and use.

A Desparate Parent​

Parents know the heartache of a sick child. Jairus, a synagogue ruler whose name means “God enlightens,” humbles himself before Jesus, pleading for the healing of his dying daughter (Mark 5:21-24), having exhausted all other medical options. His urgency contrasts with the crowd’s curiosity, which “thronged” Jesus (Mark 5:24; Luke 8:42), seeking spectacle over genuine connection. Jairus’ faith exemplifies four steps to answered prayer: placing oneself in Jesus’ presence, humbling oneself, earnestly presenting requests, and trusting God’s power and goodness.

Her Crisis: Twelve Years of Suffering​

A nameless woman, afflicted by a 12-year hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-26), symbolizes isolation and defilement. Her condition rendered her ceremonially unclean, cutting her off from community and hope. Like sin’s corrosive effect, her illness drained her physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Human solutions—doctors, money—failed, mirroring humanity’s inability to cure sin without Christ, the “Great Physician.”

Her Contact with Christ: A Leap of Faith​

Hearing of Jesus’ power, the woman pushes through the crowd, believing even touching His garment would heal her (Mark 5:27-28). Her determination contrasts with the passive crowd. She acts not for attention but out of desperate faith, illustrating that authentic faith actively seeks Christ.

His Miraculous Cure: Power Beyond Ritual​

Immediately, her bleeding stops (Mark 5:29-30). Jesus, sensing power leaving Him, asks, “Who touched Me?” (Mark 5:30). The disciples question His inquiry amid the jostling crowd, but Jesus highlights the transformative touch of faith. The woman’s healing defies ritual impurity: instead of Jesus becoming unclean, His holiness cleanses her (Mark 5:29).

Trembling, the woman confesses (Mark 5:33). Jesus commends her faith, declaring, “Daughter, your faith has made you well” (Mark 5:34). The Greek word sozo (“saved”) underscores her spiritual and physical restoration. By calling her “daughter,” Jesus publicly affirms her belonging in God’s family, ending her shame. He insists faith be confessed—a lesson for all believers (Isaiah 43:12; Psalm 107:2, 21).

Jairus’ Renewed Hope: Faith Amid Tragedy​

As Jairus learns his daughter has died, Jesus urges, “Do not fear; only believe” (Luke 8:50). Jairus, witnessing the woman’s miracle, clings to faith. Jesus resurrects his daughter, proving His power over death (Psalm 34:8).

From Spectators to Witnesses​

The sermon warns against “casual faith” that admires Jesus without true connection. Quoting Ellen G. White and Eugene Peterson, Charissa stresses that proximity to Christ isn’t enough—faith must actively engage Him. Like the woman, believers must “reach out” despite obstacles, trusting Christ’s power. The church’s mission—to share the Three Angels’ Messages—demands faith that “connects like a live wire,” transforming lives and communities.

Appeal: Touch Him Today​

Jesus’ interaction with the woman shows He meets individuals personally, even in crowds. The closing appeal urges listeners to move beyond superficial religion and experience Christ’s transformative touch. As William Barclay noted, Jesus treated her “as if she were the only person in the world.” The call-to-action challenges believers to emulate her daring faith, trusting that “the hem of His garment can still be touched.”

A Faith That Connects​

The sermon closes with a prayer for renewed faith, echoing the woman’s courage and Jairus’ persistence. It reaffirms that Christ’s power remains accessible to all who reach out in genuine faith, promising healing, restoration, and a story worth sharing.