John 3:1-8 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 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.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 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?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus is an accomplished man. He possesses an excellent education. He serves his neighbors as both church leader and local politician. He is a man with a pristine reputation, and in this scriptural text one can notice even more noteworthy characteristics. Nicodemus is dissatisfied with his current knowledge and condition, he is amazed at the ministry of Jesus, he is motivated to take risk, and with great respect he approaches the temple-cleansing, miracle-working, teacher.
Jesus loves Nicodemus and takes the conversation in the unexpected direction he deems best. In one sentence, Jesus humbles and helps his esteemed visitor. Jesus says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (3:3)
Nicodemus knows how to go to church, wash with water, sit under teaching, memorize scripture, offer forth prayers, make sacrifices, sing songs, give tithes, ceremonially dine, and practice morality. He is an expert at such things – a religious professional. However, according to the shocking words of Jesus, none of these things will ever grant him access to experience and enjoy the kingdom of God. They are all honorable activities. They are commanded ceremonial requirements. Yes, they are all good – but not good enough for him to see the kingdom of God.
Jesus then helps his religious friend. His only hope is to be:
- born again or born from above. (3:3)
- born a second time. (3:4)
- born of the Spirit. (3:5-6, 8)
- blown upon by the Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind. (3:7-8)
Nicodemus leaves this meeting with some serious questions. He is not shown to quickly accept Jesus’ teaching.
However, skip to the end of the story and the Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind does his job. Effectual calling, irresistible grace, or regeneration happen. God blows and Nicodemus is fantastically born again. (John 7:45-52; 19:38-42)
Therefore Christian friends, how can this text and teaching help us today?
Humility – We should not boast of our doctrine, faith, belief, understanding, wisdom, or affection. Why are our eyes open and our hearts inflamed? Why do we confess our sin and deny it not? Why are we moved to repentance? Why are we willfully surrendering ourself to the mastery of Christ? Why are our eyes opened and our hearts inflamed? Why is righteousness looking better and better as sin is beginning to repulse us? Why do we believe the Gospel of Jesus? Why do we believe it “better” than other people in our religious circles? Friends, it has nothing to do with our parents, church, education, intellect, or will. There are plenty of people who outshine us in all these regards and still are not moved to affectionate action. Yes friends, our acceptance of God’s truth has nothing to do with us. It is all grace. It is all gift. It is all the work of the Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind responding to the work of the Father and Son. Friends, we have as much to do with our second-birth as we had to do with our first. Let’s be more patient. Let’s be less judgmental. Let’s be less arrogant and more humble. May all our boasting go to God.
Faith – We should never lack confidence and hope in the wonder-working power of God. Who can redeem a prostitute named Rahab and her family? Who can bring about the repentance of pagan king and his entire city at the hands of a reluctant evangelist? Who can break the arrogant will of the most powerful man on the planet — Nebuchadnezzar? Who can convince a thief to repent and have faith while having on a Roman cross? Who can save a religious Pharisee named Nicodemus? Who can reclaim a Jewish antichrist named Saul? Friends, this is the same God who can regenerate our prodigal children, convict our wandering spouses, break the stubborn hearts of our friends and neighbors, and even revive us? Oh friends, who knows how God might work? He can express his loving power as either soft breeze or an explosive hurricane, but this much is sure — when he goes to work, he always gets his man or woman. Never should we doubt the Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind.
Prayer – We should be a people “speaking to the wind.” As Christians, it is true that we are Christ’s hands and feet. We are his disciples, ambassadors, missionaries, ministers, heralds, evangelists, and priests. We are to recognize our responsibilities, utilize God’s means of grace, develop wise strategies, and put forth a brilliant work-ethic. We are those going out into all cultures to make disciples. We are those who sow and water. We are those who become all things to all men in order to reach some. However, let us remember who is Lord of his church, who builds his church, who daily adds numbers to his church, or who gives the increase.
Sure, there are many of us who do the Lord’s work in our own strength apart from the Holy Spirit. Some even do religious work without possessing the Holy Spirit. They are fleshly ministers who have not yet been born again. And sure, without the Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind, people can build quite impressive religious institutions and movements. Without the working of the Holy Spirit, it is possible for us to:
- Produce and perform fantastic songs
- Present informative and inspirational talks
- Write best-selling books
- Add many professional staff members
- Offer excellent programs – both in quantity and quality
- Build and outfit fantastic facilities
- Love hurting people in our communities
- Reproduce our institutions
- Reproduce ourselves — make disciples
In the end, we who have done ministry in the flesh will walk away with fleshly results. All we will have done is collect larger crowds of religious people like Nicodemus – accomplished, committed, reputable, interested, amazed, educated, motivated, moral, and externally acquainted with Jesus.
However, if we find ourselves having a low anthropology (doctrine of man) combined with a high theology-proper (doctrine of God), if we recognize the wonder-working power of our Sovereign, Mysterious, and Effectual Wind, we will “speak to the wind.” (Ezek. 37:9-14) We will beg for the blowing. We will be people who pray without ceasing — or at least pray quite a bit.
Unfathomable Grace 