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Jesus answered him, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter his mother’s womb again and be born?" Jesus answered, "I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, unless a man is born of water and [even] the Spirit, he cannot [ever] enter the kingdom of God. What is born of [from] the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not [do not be surprised, astonished] at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above)." - Luke 3:3-7 AMPC
Growing up, my dad was my hero. I tried my very best to mimic him in almost everything I did - from the way I ate, to the way I spoke. I even lied about my shoe size, just so I could say that we wore the same size. The majority of my life was spent trying to please him and make him proud of me.
My dad was not the only person I tried to please; I also looked up to my big brother. He was a star quarterback in high school, so I wanted to be a quarterback just like him. He was known for living life according to his own terms, and I was inspired to do the same. Although it's typical for a child to want to be like their dad or an older sibling, mimicking our family’s behavior is not what leads to Heaven.
When we make the decision to come to Christ, Jesus says we must be born again. We must no longer live to please the people around us, but we are to live a life that is pleasing to God.
There’s an instance in the Bible when, at just twelve years old, Jesus says, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49b NKJV). His statement is interesting, considering He was speaking to His parents when He said this. In this moment, Jesus was foreshadowing a life that would be fully surrendered at the feet of His true father: God.
Although Jesus was respectful to his earthly parents, He knew that He did not come to this earth to serve nor please them. This is why He says,
“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters—[yes] and even his own life also—he cannot be My disciple.” - Luke 14:26 AMPC
It is not because He wants you to hate anyone, but because once you live your life actually trying to please God, you will take nothing else into consideration.
Living to please and gain acceptance from those we grew up with is normal and deemed honorable by society. However, living to please God is the only thing that will actually lead you to Heaven.
This isn’t a message of hate towards family. Instead, it is a message of pure, undivided devotion to the one true God, our Heavenly Father.
This is truly what it means to be born again.
Jesus was still speaking to the people when behold, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to Him. Someone said to Him, "Listen! Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to You." But He replied to the man who told Him, "Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?" And stretching out His hand toward [not only the twelve disciples but all] His adherents, He said, "Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother!" - Matthew 12:46-50 AMPC