Nicodemus comes to Jesus by night. He is still in the dark with regard to Jesus' identity.

But, knowing Jesus is a 'teacher come from God', Nicodemus, is confident Jesus will clarify his doubts.

However, he is not prepared for this revelation of a new birth in the Spirit. In one sense, Nicodemus has been prepared, for he is well versed in the Jewish scriptures. But his understanding has remained on the level of knowledge. To understand Jesus, and his mission, one has to go beyond this superficial understanding of Jesus as a teacher come from God! Only the Spirit has the power to do this in our lives.

This new birth we are all invited to is to undergo a profound conversion which God's Word requires. We are invited to experience the effects of the working of the Spirit in our personal lives. A contemplative way of praying, allowing God to speak to us in the depths of our consciousness, is a way of being open to the movement of the Spirit.