Gospel (Joe 3,7-15): «Do not be surprised at what I said to you: »You must be born again.« The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.» Nicodemus said to him, «How can these things be?» Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things? Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.”.

The passage from the Gospel of John (3:7-15) presents one of the most profound and symbolic dialogues in the entire New Testament: the conversation between Jesus Christ It is Nicodemus. This is a nighttime encounter, full of spiritual significance, in which Jesus reveals essential truths about spiritual birth, the action of the Spirit, and the path to eternal life.

Right at the beginning, Jesus states something that disconcerts Nicodemus: “It is necessary to be born from above.” This expression can also be translated as “born again,” but the meaning goes beyond a simple restart. It refers to a radical, inner transformation that does not depend on human effort, but on divine action. Jesus is not talking about an external change, such as adopting new habits or following religious rules more rigorously. He points to something much deeper: a renewal of the very essence of the person.

Nicodemus, being a teacher in Israel, is well-versed in the Law and religious traditions. Even so, he doesn't understand what Jesus is saying. His question — “How can this be?” — reveals a common difficulty: trying to understand spiritual realities with purely human logic. Jesus then uses the image of the wind to explain the action of the Spirit: “The wind blows where it wishes…”. The wind is invisible, it cannot be controlled, but its effects are perceived. So too is the Spirit: it cannot be limited or predicted, but it profoundly transforms those who open themselves to its action.

This comparison is extremely rich. The wind doesn't ask permission, doesn't follow our plans, and cannot be captured. Similarly, the Spirit of God acts with freedom and sovereignty. This invites us to an attitude of humility and openness. We are not the ones who control the process of spiritual transformation; we are invited to embrace it. Being "born from above" is, therefore, a gift, not an achievement.

Jesus also confronts Nicodemus by saying, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand these things?” Here, there is an implicit critique of religiosity that is limited to intellectual knowledge. Nicodemus knew a great deal about God, but he had not yet experienced the transformative action of the Spirit. This reveals an important truth: knowing doctrines is not the same as living an authentic experience of faith.

By stating, “We speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen,” Jesus presents himself as someone who has direct authority over spiritual realities. He does not speak from assumption or tradition, but from experience and divine origin. However, he laments that his testimony is not accepted. This rejection is not only intellectual but also spiritual. Often, people resist the truth not for lack of evidence, but for lack of inner openness.

Jesus continues, saying: “If you do not believe when I tell you about earthly things, how will you believe when I tell you about heavenly things?” Here, He establishes a progression: there are simpler truths, accessible to everyday experience, and there are deeper mysteries that require faith. If someone cannot grasp the basics, they will hardly understand the higher realms. This reminds us that faith is a journey, a process of growth.

Next, Jesus reveals something central: “No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” This statement highlights his divine origin and his unique mission. He is the mediator between heaven and earth, the one who fully reveals God to humanity. He is not merely a teacher or prophet, but someone who comes directly from God and returns to Him.

The reference to Moses — “Like Moses lifting up the serpent in the desert…” — connects Jesus’ teaching with the tradition of the Old Testament. In the mentioned episode (cf. Numbers 21), the people of Israel, when bitten by snakes, were healed by looking at a bronze serpent raised by Moses. This seemingly simple gesture required faith: looking at something that symbolized precisely the cause of their suffering.

Jesus uses this image to announce his own mission: “So also the Son of Man will be lifted up.” Here, there is a clear reference to his crucifixion. Just as the serpent was lifted up to heal, Jesus will be lifted up on the cross to save. The cross, which was an instrument of death and shame, becomes a sign of life and redemption. And, just as in the desert, the condition is faith: “whoever believes in him shall have eternal life.”.

This point is fundamental. Eternal life is not presented as a reward for merit, but as a consequence of faith. To believe, in this context, is not merely to intellectually accept an idea, but to trust, to surrender, to open oneself to God's action. It is an existential act that involves the whole person.

The passage, therefore, invites us to reflect on several aspects of spiritual life. First, the need for inner transformation. It is not enough to live a superficial religiosity; it is necessary to allow the Spirit to renew the heart. Second, the importance of openness. The Spirit acts freely, but it is necessary to welcome it. Third, the limit of purely intellectual knowledge. Faith is not only understanding, but experiencing.

Furthermore, the text highlights the centrality of Jesus. He is the revealer of the Father, the mediator between heaven and earth, the one who offers eternal life. His elevation on the cross is not a failure, but the culmination of his mission. It is there that God's love is fully manifested.

It is also interesting to note the contrast between Nicodemus and Jesus. Nicodemus represents the search, the doubt, the human effort to understand. Jesus represents revelation, certainty, divine initiative. The encounter between the two symbolizes the encounter between the human and the divine. And this encounter requires a change of perspective: leaving the logic of control and entering the logic of faith.

Throughout the Gospel of John, Nicodemus reappears, demonstrating a process of growth. This suggests that spiritual understanding doesn't happen all at once, but over time. The important thing is to be willing to seek, to question, to open oneself up.

Finally, this passage reminds us that the Christian life is not static. “Being born again” implies a continuous movement of renewal. It is an invitation to leave behind old patterns, fears, and limitations, and to live according to the Spirit. It is a call to freedom, trust, and hope.

In a world often marked by superficiality and immediacy, this message remains relevant. It invites us to look inward, to seek what is essential, and to make room for the mystery of God to act within us. The wind continues to blow—invisible, free, transformative. The question is: are we willing to hear its voice and allow ourselves to be guided by it?