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While the wind is itself invisible； it produces effects that are seen and felt。 So the work of the Spirit upon the soul will reveal itself in every act of him who has felt its saving power。 When the Spirit of God takes possession of the heart； it transforms the life。 Sinful thoughts are put away； evil deeds are renounced； love； humility； and peace take the place of anger； envy； and strife。 Joy takes the place of sadness； and the countenance reflects the light of heaven。 No one sees the hand that lifts the burden； or beholds the light descend from the courts above。 The blessing comes when by faith the soul surrenders itself to God。 Then that power which no human eye can see creates a new being in the image of God。
It is impossible for finite minds to comprehend the work of redemption。 Its mystery exceeds human knowledge； yet he who passes from death to life realizes that it is a divine reality。 The beginning of redemption we may know here through a personal experience。 Its results reach through the eternal ages。
While Jesus was speaking； some gleams of truth penetrated the ruler's mind。 The softening； subduing influence of the Holy Spirit impressed his heart。 Yet he did not fully understand the Saviour's words。 He was not so much impressed by the necessity of the new birth as by the manner of its accomplishment。 He said wonderingly； 〃How can these things be？〃
〃Art thou a master of Israel； and knowest not these things？〃 Jesus asked。 Surely one entrusted with the religious instruction of the people should not be ignorant of truths so important。 His words conveyed the lesson that instead of feeling irritated over the plain words of truth； Nicodemus should have had a very humble opinion of himself； because of his spiritual ignorance。 Yet Christ spoke with such solemn dignity； and both look and tone expressed such earnest love； that Nicodemus was not offended as he realized his humiliating condition。
But as Jesus explained that His mission on earth was to establish a spiritual instead of a temporal kingdom； His hearer was troubled。 Seeing this； Jesus added； 〃If I have told you earthly things； and ye believe not； how shall ye believe； if I tell you of heavenly things？〃 If Nicodemus could not receive Christ's teaching； illustrating the work of grace upon the heart； how could he comprehend the nature of His glorious heavenly kingdom？ Not discerning the nature of Christ's work on earth； he could not understand His work in heaven。
The Jews whom Jesus had driven from the temple claimed to be children of Abraham； but they fled from the Saviour's presence because
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they could not endure the glory of God which was manifested in Him。 Thus they gave evidence that they were not fitted by the grace of God to participate in the sacred services of the temple。 They were zealous to maintain an appearance of holiness； but they neglected holiness of heart。 While they were sticklers for the letter of the law； they were constantly violating its spirit。 Their great need was that very change which Christ had been explaining to Nicodemus；a new moral birth； a cleansing from sin； and a renewing of knowledge and holiness。
There was no excuse for the blindness of Israel in regard to the work of regeneration。 Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit； Isaiah had written； 〃We are all as an unclean thing； and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags。〃 David had prayed； 〃Create in me a clean heart； O God； and renew a right spirit within me。〃 And through Ezekiel the promise had been given； 〃A new heart also will I give you； and a new spirit will I put within you： and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh； and I will give you an heart of flesh。 And I will put My Spirit within you； and cause you to walk in My statutes。〃 Isa。 64：6； Ps。 51：10； Ezek。 36：26； 27。
Nicodemus had read these scriptures with a clouded mind； but he now began to comprehend their meaning。 He saw that the most rigid obedience to the mere letter of the law as applied to the outward life could entitle no man to enter the kingdom of heaven。 In the estimation of men； his life had been just and honorable； but in the presence of Christ he felt that his heart was unclean； and his life unholy。
Nicodemus was being drawn to Christ。 As the Saviour explained to him concerning the new birth； he longed to have this change wrought in himself。 By what means could it be accomplished？ Jesus answered the unspoken question： 〃As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness； even so must the Son of man be lifted up： that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish； but have eternal life。〃
Here was ground with which Nicodemus was familiar。 The symbol of the uplifted serpent made plain to him the Saviour's mission。 When the people of Israel were dying from the sting of the fiery serpents； God directed Moses to make a serpent of brass； and place it on high in the midst of the congregation。 Then the word was sounded throughout the encampment that all who would look upon the serpent should live。 The people well knew that in itself the serpent had no power to help them。 It was a symbol of Christ。 As the image made in the likeness of the
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destroying serpents was lifted up for their healing； so One made 〃in the likeness of sinful flesh〃 was to be their Redeemer。 Rom。 8：3。 Many of the Israelites regarded the sacrificial service as having in itself virtue to set them free from sin。 God desired to teach them that it had no more value than that serpent of brass。 It was to lead their minds to the Saviour。 Whether for the healing of their wounds or the pardon of their sins； they could do nothing for themselves but show their faith in the Gift of God。 They were to look and live。
Those who had been bitten by the serpents might have delayed to look。 They might have questioned how there could be efficacy in that brazen symbol。 They might have demanded a scientific explanation。 But no explanation was given。 They must accept the word of God to them through Moses。 To refuse to look was to perish。
Not through controversy and discussion is the soul enlightened。 We must look and live。 Nicodemus received the lesson； and carried it with him。 He searched the Scriptures in a new way； not for the discussion of a theory； but in order to receive life for the soul。 He began to see the kingdom of heaven as he submitted himself to the leading of the Holy Spirit。
There are thousands today who need to learn the same truth that was taught to Nicodemus by the uplifted serpent。 They depend on their obedience to the law of God to commend them to His favor。 When they are bidden to look to Jesus； and believe that He saves them solely through His grace； they exclaim； 〃How can these things be？〃
Like Nicodemus； we must be willing to enter into life in the same way as the chief of sinners。 Than Christ； 〃there is none other name under heaven given among men； whereby we must be saved。〃 Acts 4：12。 Through faith we receive the grace of God； but faith is not our Saviour。 It earns nothing。 It is the hand by which we lay hold upon Christ； and appropriate H