Jesus received a discreet night-time visit from a leading Pharisee called Nicodemus and Jesus told him straight that "unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God... Nicodemus questioned this and Jesus said... unless a man is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter the kingdom of God... so it is with everyone born of the Spirit... and Jesus laments Nicodemus's lack of spiritual understanding... saying that just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up so that everyone who believes might have eternal life in him... for God so loved the world that he gave his only son... to save the world through him... and whoever lives by the truth comes into the light". Then John the Baptist repeated that he was not the Christ and "he (Jesus) must become greater; I must become less... the one who comes from above is above all... the friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom's voice... the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God... to him God gives the Spirit without limit... and whoever believes in the Son has eternal life".
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