What is the Difference Between a Natural and Spiritual Birth? John 1:9-13

John 1:9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Though Jesus was both the light and the life of the world, it did not mean that he would be accepted by the world.  The are at least 7 different meanings for the word "world" (Greek=cosmos) in the book of John.  John uses this word more than any other gospel. 

"The word “world” (Greek: Kosmos) appears 185 times in the New Testament: 78 times in John, 8 in Matthew, 3 in Mark, and 3 also in Luke. The vast majority of its occurrences are therefore in John’s writings, as it is also found 24 times in John’s three epistles, and just three times in Peter." (Samson)

In today's verses I believe the word means the "world" as in "all of humanity".  Why? Because a few verses later he is going to refer to the world as "his own".  It reflects that the life we have been given in Christ when we were born gives each person an innate connection to the Father.  We are created in God's image, and in this sense we are his "own", or his "handiwork".  We are His work of art.  

Therefore, it would seem when the Son of God came to earth to show His great love for his Creation that those who were created by him would be eager to know and receive him.  But this was not the case, as it says, "His own did not receive him."  Another way of saying this would be, "His own rejected him."  Though they were made by him, they rejected him.    

But thanks be to God, others did receive him and believed in him.  Why some received him and others did not we do not know?  But it is important that Jesus' intent was that everyone in the world would receive him.  Importantly those who did receive him were given the right to "become children of God".  

And here is where John introduces another concept which he will talk about quite a bit in chapter 3.  The idea that those who received Jesus have become "children of God", or "born of God".  Unlike natural birth through one's father and mother, this is a supernatural birth which comes from God himself and makes one a son or daughter of God. 

"This new birth is something that brings change to the life. “The man is like a watch which has a new mainspring, not a mere face and hands repaired, but new inward machinery, with freshly adjusted works, which act to a different time and tune; and whereas he went wrong before, now he goes right, because he is right within.” (Spurgeon)  

Why do you think some people received and believed in Jesus and others did not?  In what sense are all people in the world "God's own"?  When you received and believed in Jesus can you relate to the experience of being "born again" in the sense of Spurgeon's commentary above? What changes happened in your life?  What changes are continuing to happen in your life?