The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit. John 3:8 WEB

In this verse, Jesus continues speaking with Nicodemus about spiritual rebirth. In the understanding of the Hebrew Pharisee Nicodemus, the blowing wind is the breath of God. Using this understanding of the air that surrounds us, Jesus creates a metaphor to explain the influence of the Holy Spirit on those who reject the flesh in favor of the Spirit of God. 

Previously, in verses six and seven, Jesus explained to Nicodemus why the concept of spiritual rebirth should not surprise him. Nicodemus was a spiritual teacher in Israel who should easily have understood the significance of the flesh and the spirit striving in opposition to one another. And so, Jesus explained to him in John 3:7, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’ WEB”

Heaven Is at Hand

As sinful people by nature, the only way for humans to take on the nature of God is by the process of spiritual rebirth. For this reason, Jesus came to earth. He came to call sinners to repentance. We read of Christ in Matthew 4:17, “Jesus began to preach, and to say, ‘Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’ WEB” Repentance, rejecting the sins of the flesh, is the way to spiritual rebirth.

Born of the Spirit, we share in Christ’s death on the cross and his resurrection. Born of the Spirit, we live transformed lives of submission to God. In repentance, we put our sins behind us trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness to forgive those who turn away from sin. Like the wind that blows drives the dust, the Holy Spirit leads repentant sinners into obedience to the word and will of God. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: Grace, Mercy, and Peace