John 3:1-8: The Risks of Rebirth

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” - John 3:1-8

There is no recipe for spiritual renewal. In the same way that none of us can specify our parents or the time of our birth, we are dependent for the manner and timing of our rebirth.  But unlike our birth, we can decide whether or not we wish to participate in the rebirth, but not how it will go: Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. (John 1:12-13)

Jesus was asking Nicodemus: are you willing to go back to the beginning: to rely entirely on God for your growth to learn what it means to be part of the kingdom of God. In a fashion that is completely of your sight or control, like the wind-like Spirit working? Are you-an expert and ruler-willing to submit your understanding and authority to Jesus? I think that is why it is difficult for successful people to listen fully to God, because they are too content with what they have or too afraid to not have it after struggling for it for so long. 

We must be re-born.