Jesus teaches that we are all students with one instructor (the Messiah) and one father (God). God desires a direct relationship with each of us... where he teaches us as the ultimate instructor and nurtures us as the ultimate father.
I think the difficulty is two fold.
First, we so often don't want this relationship... it is time consuming to be available to God for nurture and instruction. When was the last time you sat and listened for God to speak? We'd rather be spoon fed by someone else who has boiled down all this God-business into a list of rules to follow or a theology to espouse. But God wants a relationship directly with us.
Secondly, it is hard to buck the cultural norms. If we don't agree with the best teachers, don't follow our genetic father's faith, we tend to be unwelcomed or worse - put out or ostracized. But once again Jesus tears down the cultural norms... telling the esteemed instructors and powerful genetic fathers that they do not hold the keys to knowing God. But that God interfaces directly with individuals.
Matthew 23:1-12 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach... 6 They love... to have people call them rabbi. 8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father-- the one in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 11 The greatest among you will be your servant. 12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted
Do we ignore Jesus' teaching that we are all students with one father and one instructor? Do we own our relationship with God or do we rely on someone else - a teacher, preacher, or parent - to be the go between?
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