Did Jesus explain how to get saved in the gospels?

Nothing God does, is arbitrary, but planned and predestined in His own holy being from everlasting and shall come to pass to everlasting. Arbitrariness is the attribute of allah, not of God; of the devil, not of the Saviour.

"Forcefully interjected" -- No. God doesn't even try to panelbeat you up to shape again; He creates you anew; He places you into Jesus Christ, and there He sees Christ when He sees you - you old sinner! Just like me! The Scriptures say this is to be reborn of the Spirit. If it were not against our fallen wills, then God does not save sinners, but saints too holy to be sinners, and you know that's not true!