Jesus Preaches the Gospel to Nicodemus, Part 2

As the Savior preached the gospel to Nicodemus, He progressively revealed that which had been true from the beginning and what had been proclaimed by the prophets: that the real problem of mankind was spiritual and that the solution to that problem was a spiritual solution. Moses prophesied to the people, "The LORD delighted only in your fathers, to love them; and He chose their descendants after them, you above all peoples, as it is this day. Therefore circumcise the foreskin of your heart, and be stiff-necked no longer." (Deut. 10:15, 16) Ezekiel spoke of being given a new heart and spirit. He prophesied of a time when stony hearts would be changed into hearts of flesh. David spoke of the acceptability of a broken and contrite heart. So when the Savior tells Nicodemus about the mysterious work of the Holy Spirit and the need for spiritual rebirth, He is not changing the terms of salvation. Rather, He is returning to first things. He is returning to the same message that was always proclaimed if somewhat concealed: "You must be born again". – Pastor Schlegel