John: New Birth

Jesus, who knew all men and knew what was in man, entered a conversation with a religious man named Nicodemus in which Jesus instantly gets to the heart of the matter. What we must understand is that Jesus is insisting this new birth is the prerequisite for entrance into the kingdom of God and this truth is applied to a man of the caliber of Nicodemus. If Nicodemus cannot enter the promised kingdom by virtue of his standing and works, what hope is there for anyone one else seeking salvation along those lines?