“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead–since he was about a hundred years old–and that Sarah’s womb was also dead” (Romans 4:19 NIV).
In commenting on this portion of Scripture, one author says, “The essence of Abraham’s faith in this case was that he believed that God could make the impossible possible.” (1) Yet, despite Abraham and Sarah’s inability to conceive a child, we should note that they were both living people. In contrast, Jesus did something more miraculous: He restored the lives of the dead on several occasions. The Gospel of Mark records one such example…
“And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.’
…Then [Jesus] came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, ‘Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.’ And they ridiculed Him.
But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.’ Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement” (Mark 5:22-23, 38-42).
We find a similar example in Luke’s Gospel…
“Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’
Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, ‘Young man, I say to you, arise.’ So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, ‘A great prophet has risen up among us’; and, ‘God has visited His people'” (Luke 7:11-16).
Finally, Jesus’ resurrection of Lazarus is arguably the most prominent example of His power over death (John 11:1-44). Thus, when we face circumstances that are seemingly impossible (like Abraham and Sarah), we should remember that Jesus can even impart life to the dead.
(1) Barclay, William. “Commentary on Romans 4”. “William Barclay’s Daily Study Bible”. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/romans-4.html. 1956-1959.