The Coolest Thing You'll Read This Week!

It's late, so my title is lacking.  I re-stumbled over an old lesson that I think is pretty cool. I promise - if you stick with me, you will be glad you did.

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Most of you are familiar with the story about Jesus and Nicodemus (John 3).  It is essentially Jesus explaining to Nicodemus that in order for one to enter into the kingdom of heaven he has to be born again.  Upon Nicodemus' ridiculous (my opinion) response about a man being unable to enter his mother's womb a second time Jesus explains further.

Jesus answers, "Truly, truly I say to you unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."  What is amazing is that after Nic. still doesn't understand Jesus insults him.

He says to Nic., "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not understand these things?"  So Jesus is astonished that Nic. isn't getting it.  Why, I ask, does Jesus expect him to understand this new teaching. Because it's not new. Now not to overstep my pay grade here, but as I understand it, back in those days, young boys who were being groomed to one day be rabbis had to have the Tanakh (Old Testament) memorized.  So a rabbi of Nicodemus' stature would have been expected to not only have it memorized, but to know it better than just about anybody. (And since he was a rabbi in a time when Israel was occupied by Rome he likely knew it in several languages).  Now to the cool part.

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If you look in Proverbs 30:4 it reads:

"Who has ascended into heaven and descended?

Who has gathered the wind in His fists?

Who has wrapped the waters in His garment?

Who has established all the ends of the earth?

What is His name or His son's name?

Surely you know!"

Starting to see where I'm going??  OK.  Last part to put this together.  In the verse in John most Bibles translate that as "born of water and the Spirit", but the Greek word used for spirit is the same word used for wind...pneuma. So is it possible that when Jesus told Nicodemus that "He had to be born of water and the wind" He expected "the teacher of Israel" to immediately be reminded of the verse in Proverbs, which he undoubtedly knew...and realize that he was face to face with God's son?  When Jesus was incredulous that he didn't understand...even that was a key for Nicodemus.  "Surely you know."  

Notice how badly Jesus wanted him to not just get it, but to make the connection, see God before him, bow down to worship him and have eternal life. I was stunned when I first saw this.  Hope you are too. 

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If this isn't the coolest thing you've heard this week you need to check your pulse.  If you do think this is the coolest thing you've heard, share it with someone.  I promise not to send them spam.