John 3:7-8 The wind blows, spirit breathes_

Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. ‭‭John‬ ‭3:7-8‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Jesus explanation of the new birth describes the work of the Spirit, not the water. Once dead, the old corpse is history and broad new vistas appear. Life and within the Spirit, is incredible life. It’s no surprise that this is the topic upon which Jesus focuses. He is describing the experience of every person who has received this spirit-birth.

Something invisible to the eye is present which may only be seen in the effect that it has upon our surroundings, but it’s origin and destination are obscure to the one not under His influence. There is something magical and mysterious about being alive. Consciousness. Consider the body, alone, by itself, still, unmoving, a corpse. Then consider that same body inhabited by a lively, friendly, thoughtful, creative person. The difference between a corpse and a living human being is obvious, yet one can hardly define what that is or when exactly it occurs. The same is true of one born of the spirit, but it will be apparent in the life and impact felt by those about him.

John says earlier.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. John‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NASB‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

The word for wind is pneuma, Expositor’s Greek New Testament says, Two renderings of these words are possible: “The wind bloweth where it listeth,” as in A.V[39]; “The Spirit breatheth where He will.” It occurs about 370 times in the New Testament and never means “wind” except once in a quotation from the Old Testament.

“The wind blows where it wishes,” or “The spirit breathes where he will.” Which is it? Both fit and apply since there is a tight connection between a physical and spiritual meaning. The connection was intended. Those born of the spirit are the result of an intentional birth process by the Spirit of God that natural-minded man simply cannot understand, nor control. When I think about the context, I see a Jewish leader trying to make sense of someone who is clearly from God. John and Jesus exhibited a life and energy and influence that was notable. Yet, Jesus was outside of the control and influence of these religious rulers who relish control over the people. The religious and the natural mind cannot make sense of the mind of the Spirit. One will never tolerate the other.

Fast forward to the day of Pentecost when those first births of the spirit took place:

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts‬ ‭2:2-4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

It was the wind and the spirit. Both invading the space where the disciples were worshipping.

It’s interesting to me how the flesh so quickly wishes to dismiss the spirit. The two are constantly at odds with each other. The practice of being immersed in water may not have been strange in Jesus’ time – it was the manner in which they washed. Yet today, it’s a strange practice to publicly immerse. We have showers, baths, and body wipes. Even though our society has taken a step away from the practice, in the church it remains an important symbol in connections with salvation. Yet, there’s nothing magical about it. It is an outward symbol of an inward contract with death that I make with God. In the same way, when the Holy Spirit infills, He comes with an outward sign as well: speaking in tongues. Again, to me tongues seems like an odd sign. It looks and sounds foolish. It completely bypasses the mind… and my sensibilities. According to Paul, the Spirit generates real words which enunciate our heart and human spirit’s cry before God. In code (most often). And that’s the point exactly. What the mouth speaks reflects what is in the pool of the heart. My willing submission to allow the Spirit control over my tongue is a symbol of his control over my heart. It is dipping into a different pool. Later in the book of John, he describes the source of this internal pool:

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. ‭‭John‬ ‭7:37-39‬ ‭NKJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This is the pool from which our spirit mouth now speaks. This is the pool in which we may be immersed and swim, delight in and be overcome by His goodness and presence. And this pool becomes a source which flows from us freely. From our mouth, our heart, and the Holy Spirit. And according to Jesus, once we’ve received this spirit birth, we may see the kingdom of God. See it! Understand it. Recognize it.

There is no point in debating about speaking in tongues or it’s availability for believers. If one is determined to avoid this manifestation of the Spirit, all the evidence in the world lined up to convince a heart that is not willing will make no impact. Why would anyone be unwilling to receive it? It’s uncomfortable. It’s strange. For years conservative churches have associated it with wild, unthinking, and over-emotional Pentecostals. The whole experience makes one feel out of control.

Again, that’s the point exactly.

The Spirit breathes, and the wind blows where it will, we don’t know about it’s origin or destination. Yet Jesus said it’s a fundamental identifier of those who are born of the Spirit and see the kingdom.