What Jesus Did! 'Things Only Jesus Can Show' — John 3:8-12

Sunday, February 13, 2022

[Continuing his talk with Nicodemus, Jesus said,] "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."

"How are these things possible?" Nicodemus asked.

Jesus replied, "You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don't understand these things? I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won't believe our testimony. But if you don't believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things?"

— John 3:8-12 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus wants to drive home an essential point with Nicodemus. What is that point? It is that Jesus is the authority on all things spiritual, including spiritual rebirth.

If a respected teacher and leader like Nicodemus cannot understand the things of heaven, then who can explain them? Who can show the way? Only one — Jesus! He is "from above." [1] He knows the Father's will and has come to reveal it to us. He knows the path to spiritual rebirth and has come to share it. He knows because he is one with the Father and the Spirit and has seen the Spirit in action. Jesus is saying to Nicodemus, "Let me teach you, O teacher. Let me lead you, O leader!" Jesus comes to us and says the same thing. "Learn from me, dear child. I long to give you the things of heaven, the things no one else can give." That is Jesus' personal invitation to Nicodemus, and to us. Jesus calls us to follow his journey to the cross and beyond. He wants to give us genuine and lasting life. Will we follow?

[1] John 8:23.

Today's Prayer

Create in me, O God, a searcher's heart. Make me hungry to know your will and your Son. As I follow Jesus through his ministry, capture my heart, fire my imagination, and conquer my will so that I can receive what only Jesus can give and so that I can understand what only Jesus can explain. It is in his name, the glorious Christ and Savior, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6-14
  • James 1:5
  • Ephesians 1:15-18

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Illustration

Illustration of John 3:8-12 NLT — "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."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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