Olbrich Botanical Garden
Madison WI

“Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” John 3:3

Nicodemus was a seeker, a person searching for the truth about God. We first meet him in an encounter with Jesus, as he visits Jesus  in the night time. Nicodemus is a scholar, a student of the scripture, and a member of the Sanhedrin. His titles include Pharisee.

What is obvious from his night time visit, is his concern to keep his visit secret, unwilling to be known as an associate, of this man called Jesus.

The discussion that follows is intriguing. Jesus talks about being born from above, and Nicodemus wonders what on earth he’s talking about. Jesus tries to describe the spirit of God to him, likening the Spirit to the wind, that blows and no one has control of it. The wind will blow where the wind will blow. And the Spirit, Jesus says, is just like that wind. “The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, 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

Throughout the ages, the Spirit blows, and in this blowing it both draws and sends those who pay attention, in new paths. The Spirit blows and a life is changed, another person is drawn into the community of the faithful. The Spirit blows and  hearts are transformed, empathy grows and love is born in a soul. The Spirit blows, and some who doubted their own worth, discover  divine love, giving strength, courage and the ability to meet the moment with grace, wisdom and dignity.

The Spirit still blows, guiding us empowering us and sending us out into the world, to share the Word. For the scripture tells us, “God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:17

Nicodemus, leaves his encounter with Jesus confused, questioning what he has heard, puzzling over the conversation. But he will continue to listen, seeking wisdom as he stands in the distance. Watching this Jesus, who he has come to believe, holds a key to secrets of the Kingdom of God.

Sometimes, he will sense whispering winds of the Spirit, pushing him forward, nudging him to act, until at last, he will take Jesus from the cross, and prepare his body for burial.