The Wind Blows

Scripture: John 3:5-8 (NKJV) 5 Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Background: Nicodemus just asked Jesus the question, "How can a man be born again?" He is still thinking in terms of a physical rebirth, which of course is absurd. Jesus was not being absurd, He was talking about mankind's need of salvation. As humans, we carry all the weaknesses and flaws that are common to all of us. Jesus said, "that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." This is the key to a transformed life--God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit invades our spirit and begins to change us from the inside out. How do we know that this has taken place? Jesus compared it to the wind. You cannot see the wind, or explain the wind; however, the power of the wind is obvious.

Observations: I grew up in a part of the country where the wind blows. I'm not talking breezy--I'm talking about Spring winds of 25-40 mile an hour winds everyday. Although the wind cannot be seen, the dust that it kicks up is unavoidable. Shingles are blown off roofs, tree limbs are broken, the sound of the wind whistles through the attic and tumbleweeds roll down the road. When a person is born again the work of the Holy Spirit is also unmistakable. He makes a life changing, transforming difference in the life of a Believer. The Apostle Paul talked specifically about some of the fruit that the Holy Spirit will produce in and through the life of those that have been born again. Gal 5:22-25 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Prayer: Dear Father, You are glorious and great, my Redeemer and Lord; may Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on this earth and in my life as it is in heaven. I pray that the work of the Holy Spirit would be evident in the way I live my life. May I be more loving towards others--more passionate about my relationship with You--and may the attitudes of my heart and everyday decisions bring You glory.

Born Again

Scripture: John 3:1-4 (NKJV) 1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him." 3 Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4 Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

Background: A predominate religious leader came to talk to Jesus at night. One can only surmise that Nicodemus did not want any of his colleagues to know that he had any interest in Jesus, the rogue Rabbi. Nicodemus gave Jesus an unsolicited compliment and Jesus returned the favor by giving Nicodemus an unsolicited lesson about the keys to eternal life. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

Observations: Jesus was telling Nicodemus, an extremely religious man, that in order to "see" the kingdom of God it would take something more than religion. It would take a new birth--a spiritual new birth. Nicodemus did not understand Jesus anymore than a secular person understands a contemporary Christian who declares that they have been born again. The BIG question is this: "Why do we need to be born again?" I have often used the illustration that as impossible as it is to grab your own shoe strings and to lift yourself off the ground, so it is when it comes to "saving" ourselves and lifting ourselves out of sin. In order for a human to be changed, transformed and reformed takes a miracle. The miracle of the new birth takes place when the Holy Spirit breaths His life into our spirit. The beauty of the new birth is that it was accomplished by the grace and goodness of God and not by the effort of man.

Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for loving me and for coming into my life. I trust in Your ability to change me and I submit myself to Your purposes in my life. Your Word speaks of Jesus as being the author and the finisher of my faith, so I pray that You will continue to led me and guide me as my life is transformed. I long for the day when I hear your voice speak the words, "Welcome, thou good and faithful servant." Until I hear You speak those words I want to live a life that brings You glory. May Your glory shine through me this day.