One of the things Jeshua says in the Gospel of Thomas is that the kingdom of heaven is before you and you don't see it.
apply what He says about being born again and a process of spiritual growth becomes apparent, whether symbolic or literal. the truth is the same in both instances.
That truth is about seeking, finding, and opening the door to Heaven/The Kingdom
What he is talking about is the limitations of our stages of growth, and to progress to the
Kingdom of Heaven, you must be born again, born in the spirit.