March 31, 2016 (Thursday)
The weather has featured strong winds lately, and is likely to do so for a couple of months, if we follow the usual pattern for this time of year in Rockport.
As I sit here writing this blog, I’m hearing the strong wind blowing,and it reminds me of what Jesus said to Nicodemus: “The wind blows wherever it pleases.” It is no accident that Jesus referred to the wind when discussing the spirit, because “wind,” “spirit,” and “breath” are all the same word in the Greek language. He told Nicodemus: “The Spirit gives birth to spirit.” Everyone in the world has had a physical birth, but Jesus declared that a spiritual birth is also necessary. As he put it, “You must be born again.”
The Apostle Paul put it like this: “When someone becomes a Christian, he becomes a brand new person inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 TLB).
William T. Sleeper wrote a song in 1881 about this mysterious experience, common to all believers: “Ye Must Be Born Again.” Here are the words:
Chorus:
Ye must be born again,
Ye must be born again;
I verily, verily say unto thee,
“Ye must be born again.”
Verses:
A ruler once came to Jesus by night
To ask Him the way of salvation and light;
The Master made answer in words true and plain,
“Ye must be born again.”
Ye children of men, attend to the word
So solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord;
And let not this message to you be in vain,
“Ye must be born again.”
O ye who would enter that glorious rest,
And sing with the ransomed the song of the blest,
The life everlasting if ye would obtain,
“Ye must be born again.”
A dear one in heaven thy heart yearns to see,
At the beautiful gate may be watching for thee,
Then list to the note of this solemn refrain,
“Ye must be born again.”
Click here to to hear George Beverly Shea sing this song (1976).