“Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.””
John 3:5-8 NLT
Jesus was a Master at using everyday objects and events to explain spiritual truths. His explanation of new birth to Nicodemus starts off all very logical. He said, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life”. A natural life, and a spiritual life. Both within each person who has been created in God’s image. But then Jesus uses the analogy of the wind to explain that there is a mystery about being born of the Spirit.
In the last week or so there has been a lot of wind in Scotland. Several storms have crossed the country, wreaking havoc in their path. Trees downed, slates and tiles blown off roofs. Travel arrangements disrupted. And everyone has been aware of the noise generated by the flow of air around buildings and trees. In fact any solid object above ground has felt the effects of the wind. Jesus explained to Nicodemus that the wind can be heard but not seen. The wind is a continuous entity with no beginning and end. No-one knows where it starts or finishes. Of course we can see or feel the impact of the wind. A piece of paper blows down the road. A tree sways backwards and forwards, perhaps creaking or rubbing against its fellows. When driving over an exposed section of road we can feel the gusts tugging at the steering wheel. Trying to walk or cycle against the wind is well nigh impossible sometimes.
When applied to the Holy Spirit and His work, the analogy of wind fits very well. We cannot see the Holy Spirit but we can see the impact He makes on the people in whom He is working. Lives changed. Prophecies forthcoming. Even miracles and God-induced events. And our spiritual birth comes about by the Holy Spirit working in our lives. In John 16:8 we read, “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment“. That’s the wind of the Spirit blowing through the world. Sometimes He brings a storm and revival breaks out. At other times He gently blows through receptive hearts bringing change and a touch from God. But like the wind, we can’t see it directly. But we see the effects. So do we pilgrims look a bit wind-blown today? If not, then we only have to ask the Holy Spirit to come.
Father God. We pray for the wind of Your Spirit to blow away every cobweb in our hearts and lives, leaving us pure and presentable to You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Being a Pilgrim 