The Teacher: Jesus Christ (3:1–21) - part 2 of 3

Our Lord used four very different examples to teach Nicodemus the basics of salvation. The first example was birth (3:1-7). Today we will look at the second example: wind. 

The wind (vv. 8–13). The wind was probably blowing at that time of night when Nicodemus and Jesus were talking on the roof. In Hebrew and Greek, the word "wind" can also mean "spirit." The wind or breath is one of the signs of the Spirit of God in the Bible (Job 33:4; John 20:22; Acts 2:2). The Spirit is like the wind: you can't see it, but it's strong, and you can't explain or predict how it moves.

Nicodemus should have easily remembered Ezekiel 37:1–14 when Jesus used this symbol we read in John 3. The prophet saw a valley full of dead bones, but when he spoke to the wind, the Spirit came and gave them life. The Spirit of God and the Word of God together gave life again. The people of Israel, including Nicodemus and the other council members, were dead and hopeless. They needed the life of the Spirit, even though they were moral and religious.

The phrase "You must be born again" tells us that the new birth from above is necessary, but it is also a mystery. You can't fully explain or predict either the wind or the child of God. Despite our extensive knowledge of anatomy and physiology, human birth remains a mystery and is difficult to humanly understand. Every new life is thrilling and unique.

Nicodemus came "by night," and he was still in the dark! He still didn't get the new birth even after Jesus told him about it. Our Lord stressed that Nicodemus should have known what he needed to know from the Old Testament (John 3:10). Unfortunately, "the teacher of the Jews" knew what the Bible said, but he didn't know what it meant.

What was the issue? The religious leaders would not accept the authority of Christ's witness (John 3:11). As we continue studying, this "authority conflict" will get worse. The religious leaders said they believed Moses, but they couldn't believe Jesus (John 5:37–47). The Pharisees cared more about what people thought of them than what God thought of them (John 12:37–50).

Jesus said, "If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not." Then Jesus told them they still wouldn't believe if He told them the deep spiritual truths (John 3:12).