However, when justification is preached in the framework of history, it appears in vital and inseparable relationship to the new birth. We have seen how the sinner is justified by participating in the holy history of Christ. The same inclusion into Christ's history also means that the sinner is born again. A person does not become born again by rummaging around in his psyche. The new birth is not preoccupation with one's spiritual navel.
Man is a historical being.
I am the story of my life. My history determines who I am and what my destiny shall be. The only way I can become a new man is to have a new history. Nicodemus knew very well that it was the Exodus event which gave birth to the nation of Israel. But the prophets had also spoken of a new exodus under a new Moses at the end of the age.