Ro 4:13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith
Ac 1:6 ¶ When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Lu 24:19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:
Lu 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him
Lu 24:20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him
Lu 24:5 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken
Lu 24:26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?
I see nothing here of Jews thinking that they were rightful heirs to heaven. In fact, I see that they were looking for an earthly kingdom (restoration of Israel)
Mt 19:27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Mt 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel
You are right that he had no idea that he needed to be born again, but Jesus implies that he should have since he was a master of Israel
Joe 2:28 ¶ And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
Joe 2:29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
Ac 2:16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
Ac 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
Does anyone doubt that God was dealing w/ Israel on a national basis at this time? Wasn't Nicodemas a Jew. God's chosen people were the Jews
Ex 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn:
God was and will one day continue his work with Israel.
Ro 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.
Ro 11:26 And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob:
Ro 11:27 For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.
I think we should not let our heavenly ambitions blind us to the fact that the primary purpose of justification is to permit access to a relationship to the father through Jesus Christ our Savior.
Ro 5:1 ¶ Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: