May 25, 2014

Bro. Perry Webb

John 3:1-8

Bro. Perry Web returns as a special guest speaker and returns to John chapter 3. Except this time, we take a look at the story of Jesus and Nicodemus a little differently than before.   

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.” (John 3:1-8 ESV)

The Bible back in Jesus' day was not divided into chapters and verses like it is today, but was a running commentary. As you read the end of chapter 2, we learn that it is Passover week.  Jesus' name was being spread everywhere. People have heard about him.  People have seen him perform miracles. He was the talk of the town. Nicodemus was no different. He either heard Jesus or heard about Jesus. There was great curiosity in his heart to talk to Jesus.

As Nicodemus saw the great crowds, he could not talk with Jesus like he wanted too, therefore he had to come at night to be able to speak to him.  Nicodemus was well versed. He was obedient to the law. He dotted every "I" and crossed every "T". We can speculate, but we don't really know why he came or why he came at night.  But what we do know is what is written and recorded.  Nicodemus came at night and he began with flattery; what we call today "buttering him up".

He called Jesus, "Rabbi". This was a title of a well respected teacher.  Similar to calling someone "doctor" though they do not have a doctorate. But Jesus was not flattered. He skipped over it and went straight to the point of the message - "unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of god". As we know the story, Nicodemus did not understand the Lord's teaching.  Jesus explained it further to him. Jesus added on to the answer, verse 8:

"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.” (John 3:8 ESV)

The wind tells us a lot. It suggests there is a ceaselessness on the point of the Spirit.  Some people say the Spirit began at the Pentecost, but Scripture tells us the Spirit hovered over the water in the beginning and was with Him in the end.

The Spirit of God is like a mighty wind.  From beginning to the end there will be endless movement of the Spirit of God.  It suggests there is a freedom of the Spirit to move where it desires.  Verse 8 says, "the wind blows where it wishes". The word "wishes" is translated from same word we get our word "lust". "Lust" is often thought of in a bad tense with sexual connotation, but it's root word means desire. The Spirit of God moves wherever it desires.  You can not domesticate it. It goes where it pleases. You can not make it go your way.  Listen to the wind; it suggests the Spirit of God.

 The nature of the Spirit of God is that which is not visible, only in its results. Listen to it, it suggests a great mystery in the movement of the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God knew what to do, where to go, how to act, and how to work out in mysterious ways. Listen to the wind; it suggests there is a destiny in the Spirit of God.

The Spirit of God, in his way, is working out his destiny in your life today. Listen and be still. Listen to the wind.  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.