If you are curious to know what the heart of the Gospel of John is, then I encourage you to continue reading this article.

What is eternal life in Jesus? In the Gospel of John chapter 3 verses 1-2, Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Unlike other Pharisees and members of the Sanhedrin Council, Nicodemus remain humble in spite of his being powerful, successful, and a scholar. He was willing to learn from Jesus and spoke highly of him, calling Him Rabbi. Nicodemus wanted to go to heaven, and so he asked Jesus how. Jesus answered, “Truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).

Jesus is an all-knowing God. He knows the hearts of men, so He knew there was hunger in the heart of Nicodemus, who asked, “How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he” (John 3:4)? Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

What is born of water and Spirit? John 3:7 says, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” Jesus is saying after we are born physically, we must be born again, spiritually. John 3:7-8 says, “Do not be amazed that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”

What is born again? Ephesians 5:26 says, “So that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the Word.” “Her” refers to the church. “Water” refers to the Word of God. So, the Word of God will sanctify you. Titus 3:5 says, “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit.”

Now, Nicodemus seems lost by the way he threw in questions about salvation. Nicodemus thought he was saved. He knew he was a good person, godly person and respected by many. He trusted in his own efforts and good deeds. He failed to understand the meaning of faith in Jesus and did not experience the Spirit of God in his life He asked Jesus, “How can these things be” (John 3:9)?

Curious to know if Nicodemus understood it all after his conversation with the Lord?  Did he change? Yes; he understood. In John 7:50-51, the Scripture tells us that Nicodemus defended Jesus against those who wanted to kill him. When Jesus died, Nicodemus helped give a decent burial (John 19:39-40).

What must I do to become born again? Coming to Jesus is a personal decision to make. It is actually the best decision we could ever make in this life. It’s a decision with willingness to change. When you receive the Spirit of God, your life is transformed. You can be born of the Spirit if you will accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Jesus took your place and paid for your sin by dying on the cross. Admit that you are a sinner and accept God’s gift of eternal life. It was God who took the initiative to send Jesus to die for us. John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world…” God knows your need. He knows that you cannot save yourself. He cares for you. He wants you to be born again. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John14:6). If you want to experience being born again, accept God’s solution.