"All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. When we cry 'Abba! Father!', it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ - if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him."
What a fitting Epistle for today as we celebrate Father's Day. Welcome to all the fathers here today, and welcome to the welcomed memories of the fathers who are no longer with us.
Years ago my brother said, "This world is not my home". Although we weren't talking about anything about the Gospels, my brother's words have always had profound meaning for me.
When I think back to the context of the thoughts we were tossing around at the time, I am sure my brother's words probably didn't mean to him what they have come to mean to me.
But that was a long time ago and I admit that I have never followed up on any further thoughts he might or might not have about it.
Now, today as I ponder Jesus' words to Nicodemus, from the Gospel of John, my brother's words come back to me as they have many times before when I've thought about my relationship with God, our Heavenly Father.
Nicodemus was a distinguished leader of the Jews, serving on the Supreme Council as a representative of the Jewish legal system. There's no evidence that Nicodemus was a believer in Jesus, but it seems they held each other in mutual high esteem.
Nicodemus was curious about Jesus and wanted to talk with him but, since many of the other Jewish leaders' were hostile toward Jesus, it did not seem wise to visit with him openly. So, cautiously, after dark one night, he went to Jesus in secret to talk at length with him.
Now, Nicodemus did not doubt that Jesus had come from God, for all the miraculous signs that he did, but he was a bit perplexed at Jesus' words about the kingdom of God.
"Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above."
"But", Nicodemus asked, "How can anyone be born after having already grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born again?"
Jesus didn't give a direct answer to that question in particular, but he did go on to say, "No one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and spirit. You must be born from above. What is born of flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. You must be born from above."
Sensing, perhaps, that Nicodemus was confused by his answer, Jesus felt the need for further clarity and so he added, "The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."
As I read Jesus' parable of the wind, I can't help but recall my brother's words, "This world is not my home." As I watch the wind blowing through the trees, I know it is not the wind I see but rather it is only the tree's reaction to the wind.
The wind is Spirit; it is breath, it is life, it moves what it wishes to move. It is our direct connection to God, given to us through his son, whom he gave to us to show us the way home.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have everlasting life."
I can't explain these things in ways that all will understand, but if I can leave just one thing with you today, it is my hope that you will ponder Jesus' words; that you will reflect on where the wind is coming from and where it is going.
Consider your next kind thought or the unexpected hand you've offered to someone in need, and know that it just might be the Spirit showing you the way home.
Amen.