John 3:1-7

“Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above’" (John 3:1-7).

Comment:

I don't see in this passage the sense of exclusivity you commented on in your question. Jesus himself was 'born again' when he was baptized by John the Baptist and, in that process, remembered his true spiritual identity and spiritual purpose. John didn't impart that new awareness to him; it had been in him all along, just as it is within us. Jesus calls us all to 'convert' our lives from a belief system centered on separation from a punishing God to a new awareness of our intimate Oneness with the infinite and loving Power of God. "What is born of the flesh is flesh," he explains—when we are born into mortal bodies, we assume the mindset of collective consciousness that tells us we are sinners living separately from our Source. "What is born of the Spirit is spirit." When we realize our true identity as the Christ, then we embrace a new consciousness—a Christ Consciousness—and we begin to discover the wonderful, creative, healing things we can accomplish. The 'rebirth' isn't bestowed on us from outside ourselves; it's about discovering who we truly are.

 Blessings!

Rev. Ed