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Gospel of Thomas - The Commentary
by fish Wednesday, Jul 13 2005, 2:00pm
international /
theology /
commentary
Section: 1
The Gospel contains 114 sayings -- due to the limitations of this site the Commentary will be published in two sections -- the first will contain verses 1-66, the second verses 67-114.
Gospel text (copyright applies) translated by Stephen Patterson and Marvin Meyer.
These are the secret sayings that the living Jesus spoke and Didymos Judas Thomas recorded.
1. And he said, "Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death."
The
reader is challenged to determine from a process of discovery the
meaning of these sayings. It should be noted that this is not a
passive process; we are encouraged to actively pursue the meaning
behind these sayings utilising the faculties we all possess. Perhaps
this method also alerts us to the dangers of a simplistic literal
reading of any Scriptural text or possibly the dangers of a passive
approach to Christianity. Of all the God-men, Jesus in the social,
intellectual and spiritual spheres was the activist extraordinaire –
cowardice finds no home in the Christianity of Jesus.
Nothing
less than the promise of ‘immortality’ (given by Jesus) for those
successful in arriving at the meaning of the sayings. Perhaps the real
meaning of Jesus’ ‘death’ and ‘resurrection’ (transformation) may also
be understood as a result of discovering the meaning of this long lost
Gospel.
[It
does not pass without notice that the very first verse dispenses with
the notion that an intermediary authority (church or organised
religion) is required to discover Truth!]
2. Jesus said, "Those who seek should not stop seeking until they find.
When they find, they will be disturbed. When they are disturbed, they
will marvel, and will reign over all. [And after they have reigned they
will rest.]"
We
are urged to endure to the end; we are also guaranteed that those who
do not waver in their pursuit will find that which they seek. That
which is found will have a profound impact on the seeker, which will be
above all that was previously known and anticipated. The new
mutated/transformed mind rises to heights not previously conceived.
After incorporating the experience into Being, the seeker finds
rest/repose – the quietude that is only experienced after the discovery
of sublime Peace.
3. Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's)
kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If
they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you.
Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you.
This
refers to the multitude of religious teachers, philosophers, clerics
etc., who would show you the ‘way’ – it also refers to various methods,
practices and formulas that would reveal Truth or Godhead. It is
clearly stated that the ultimate Truth or reality is within/without –
one is already in possession of that which is sought – notwithstanding
that it must be discovered.
When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will
understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do
not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty."
If
you would know God then know yourself – if you know yourself you will
know from where you originated (from the source and sustainer of All
life). However, if you would adopt a teaching or religion or other
substitute for the living reality that is God then poverty is your
prize – you become that ‘poverty’, and how profound is that sense of
loss. The sub-text clearly indicates that those who follow any
organised teaching are lost.
4. Jesus said, "The person old in days won't hesitate to ask a little
child seven days old about the place of life, and that person will live.
How
does an old person ‘ask’ a seven-day-old (who does not have language)
about the ‘location’ of Life/God? By direct apprehension that’s how!
The benefits of an unfettered consciousness may also be indicated!
For many of the first will be last, and will become a single one."
Distinctions
and divisions melt under the clear perception of an unfettered
consciousness – God is ONE and by implication so is everything else.
The distinctions of ‘first and last’ are erased in the Unity that is
Truth.
5. Jesus said, "Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you.
Jesus
refers to himself as the Light of the world and our lives; he also
refers to the immanent nature of what his being represents. Truth is
always immanent and available to those who would overcome their
limitations/fears. That which appears mysterious and secret is an
illusion as the Truth is immediately available. Perhaps a caution
against the mystery schools that pervaded the social context of the
time. But the broader meaning is clear, the Truth is ever under our
noses!
For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed. [And there is nothing buried that will not be raised.]"
6. His disciples asked him and said to him, "Do you want us to fast?
How should we pray? Should we give to charity? What diet should we
observe?"
Jesus said, "Don't lie, and don't do what you hate, because all things
are disclosed before heaven. After all, there is nothing hidden that
will not be revealed, and there is nothing covered up that will remain
undisclosed."
There
is no greater delusion than self-delusion and no greater folly than to
believe that delusion as real. A call to personal integrity and
honesty. In the face of a direct question regarding regulatory codes
and behaviours, Jesus responds with a call to be true to ourselves – a
huge departure from Judaic and Pauline doctrines.
7. Jesus said, "Lucky is the lion that the human will eat, so that the
lion becomes human. And foul is the human that the lion will eat, and
the lion still will become human."
An
extremely difficult and obscure riddle made all the more difficult
taken out of its social and historical context of two millennia past.
However, as with all riddles, our attention is drawn to the fact that
the answer is not in the text; the text is simply the trigger of an
internal process of discovery. As so often occurs with Scripture
people and ‘authorities’ cite it in an authoritarian attempt to justify
themselves or their personal beliefs, whereas all text is liable to
interpretation. Utilising the device of the riddle would also indicate
that text is secondary to understanding, which is a living function!
Do not use Scripture to abuse children or justify a personal (or
shared) worldview. The primary purpose of Scripture is to indicate God
or the Living Truth. If you wish to be a social regulator then work
for the State.
8. And he said, "The person is like a wise fisherman who cast his net
into the sea and drew it up from the sea full of little fish. Among
them the wise fisherman discovered a fine large fish. He threw all the
little fish back into the sea, and easily chose the large fish. Anyone
here with two good ears had better listen!"
One
selects the exceptional (without difficulty) from the multitude of
offerings. The one Truth is complete; nothing else is required. When
it is discovered we dispense with all our ‘precious’ little notions and
cling to the one, life-saving Truth.
9. Jesus said, "Look, the sower went out, took a handful (of seeds),
and scattered (them). Some fell on the road, and the birds came and
gathered them. Others fell on rock, and they didn't take root in the
soil and didn't produce heads of grain. Others fell on thorns, and they
choked the seeds and worms ate them. And others fell on good soil, and
it produced a good crop: it yielded sixty per measure and one hundred
twenty per measure."
Similar parable in the NT, which has been accurately dealt with.
10. Jesus said, "I have cast fire upon the world, and look, I'm guarding it until it blazes."
It
should not be forgotten that Jesus was a social reformer and activist,
he clearly anticipated that his teaching would ‘consume’ that which it
encountered (ignorance and hierarchical social structures). However,
it would appear that the “fire” has decreased to a small flame in the
present age of cringing cowards. The imperative of Christianity is to
love God and humanity – without exception! If the full implications of
that statement are understood, so too is the requirement of bravery.
11. Jesus said, "This heaven will pass away, and the one above it will pass away.
The dead are not alive, and the living will not die. During the days
when you ate what is dead, you made it come alive. When you are in the
light, what will you do? On the day when you were one, you became two.
But when you become two, what will you do?"
Another
extremely difficult riddle; we are questioned regarding the
impermanence or transitory nature of existence and the dichotomies of
life/death, monism/dualism etc. It would seem that we are being
reminded of our origination (the ONE living creative principle) where
we shared in the creation and made what is inert live! Attention is
drawn to our divided consciousness (dualistic/pluralistic) in this
world of phenomenological existence; yet we are reminded of our
pristine previous state and questioned regarding our present options.
Would we remain divided both socially and psychologically or regain our
previous glory in monistic Unity? This verse is a call to remembrance!
12. The disciples said to Jesus, "We know that you are going to leave us. Who will be our leader?"
Jesus said to them, "No matter where you are you are to go to James the Just, for whose sake heaven and earth came into being."
This
is interesting from a historical perspective. This verse challenges
the notion created by the Nicean group that Peter was head of the early
‘church’. We can see why the Nicean group went to great lengths to
eliminate other early Christian groups. In their zeal they also
destroyed over two hundred gospels and numerous other Christian
writings. Ample evidence still exists today in the Canon to suggest
that James was indeed the leader after the death of Jesus. It should
be borne in mind that today’s Canon is the result of political
intervention. Which of the gospels was divinely inspired? The four
edited versions we have today or some of the (destroyed) hundreds that
didn’t suite the political interests of emperors and other
politicians? Fortunately for future generations, this gospel found a
safe haven in Africa and escaped the ravages of European political
zealots.
13. Jesus said to his disciples, "Compare me to something and tell me what I am like."
Simon Peter said to him, "You are like a just messenger."
Matthew said to him, "You are like a wise philosopher."
Thomas said to him, "Teacher, my mouth is utterly unable to say what you are like."
Jesus said, "I am not your teacher. Because you have drunk, you have
become intoxicated from the bubbling spring that I have tended."
And he took him, and withdrew, and spoke three sayings to him. When
Thomas came back to his friends they asked him, "What did Jesus say to
you?"
Thomas said to them, "If I tell you one of the sayings he spoke to me,
you will pick up rocks and stone me, and fire will come from the rocks
and devour you."
A
simple test by Jesus to gauge the spiritual development of his
disciples. Infinite glory cannot be captured by language, it must be
experienced – when the mouth is unable to utter a description, it would
indicate to the master that greater understanding has been achieved or
that one of his disciples had been lobotomised! The fire/rocks are for
dramatic effect. Also, Thomas was not called the ‘twin’ for nothing!
14. Jesus said to them, "If you fast, you will bring sin upon
yourselves, and if you pray, you will be condemned, and if you give to
charity, you will harm your spirits.
This
appears to contradict Christian dictates; however, if we do not forget
we are being challenged to discover the meaning then it becomes evident
that it refers to ritual practice and identifiable, habitual
behaviours. Ritual and showmanship is not the knowledge of God.
When you go into any region and walk about in the countryside, when
people take you in, eat what they serve you and heal the sick among
them.
Again
we are to help those in need and not conform to ritual practice or
regulatory behaviours that would create a posture or false appearance.
Integrity is at the core of spiritual life, not posturing.
After all, what goes into your mouth will not defile you; rather, it's what comes out of your mouth that will defile you."
Confirms the departure from ritualistic and regulatory Judaic practices.
15. Jesus said, "When you see one who was not born of woman, fall on your faces and worship. That one is your Father."
A
reference to those who have overcome and now walk in the Light.
Interesting to note is the reference to the Father, Jesus was born of a
woman, yet the reference seems to be open; ‘others’ may be encountered
in whom the otherworldly Light shines. It is also a clear reference to
Jesus himself – though born of woman as we all are, he has acquired
equanimity with the Creative principle. He indicates that we may also
attain to the heights of ‘immortality’.
16. Jesus said, "Perhaps people think that I have come to cast peace
upon the world. They do not know that I have come to cast conflicts
upon the earth: fire, sword, war.
For there will be five in a house: there'll be three against two and
two against three, father against son and son against father, and they
will stand alone."
Jesus
was aware that his teachings would create conflict in the social sense
– the strong departure and condemnation of the Old religion and the
direct opposition to all hierarchical structures of power would no
doubt attract the wrath of those in power. His attempt to wrest
religion from the institutional and to deliver it to the people and his
rejection of notions of private property in favour of communal living
would win him no friends in ruling circles. The philosophical aspects
of his teachings would also create tensions in a household. Middle
class or other families would not be enamoured with the prospect that
their sons (for example) would announce that they had become converts
and had no need for property or money – instead they would dedicate
their lives to service and loving all humanity. Jesus made it clear
that those who put family or any other consideration (money) before him
are not worthy of him. This would explain the almost non-existent
population of true Christians on the earth today – very few are able to
follow this man‘s dictates. “Few are chosen”, indeed.
17. Jesus said, "I will give you what no eye has seen, what no ear has
heard, what no hand has touched, what has not arisen in the human
heart."
Let’s
not forget the reward for those who are able to follow this man’s
teachings – as Thomas is unable to utter, the page is unable to carry a
description! Regardless of fine ‘appearances’ etc., it is the world
that lives in misery and poverty, a meaningless nowhere land and life.
18. The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us, how will our end come?"
Jesus said, "Have you found the beginning, then, that you are looking
for the end? You see, the end will be where the beginning is.
Congratulations to the one who stands at the beginning: that one will know the end and will not taste death."
The
origination and finality are the same, alpha and omega merge into the
Singular Truth. The tone of this Gospel is appealing; a congratulatory
note for those who arrive at their beginning, for their beginning is
the beginning of All things, all life issues from One source and
therein lies the continuum that is God/Truth.
19. Jesus said, "Congratulations to the one who came into being before coming into being.
Another
congratulation for those who are able to ‘jump’ this riddle; the answer
lies well outside rational thought and that is answer enough.
However, consider the word “being” with and without an upper case “B”,
it may help! The Being of Being is Truth as opposed to the being of
being which is our worldly particularised identity or personality. If
we therefore come into our Being before coming into our particular
being we are saved. If we are bound to a transient identity (being)
and are unable to realise our greater Being we are lost.
If you become my disciples and pay attention to my sayings, these stones will serve you.
An exaggerated way of saying that the teachings of the Saviour are powerful ‘medicine’.
For there are five trees in Paradise for you; they do not change,
summer or winter, and their leaves do not fall. Whoever knows them will
not taste death."
This
relates to the tree symbolism in the Old and New Testaments, you would
recall the trees in the Garden of Eden and the man who saw “men as
trees walking” in the NT. Biblical tree symbolism refers to the
central nervous system and the associated ganglia or plexuses. I am
not at liberty to reveal details, as this is the most secret wisdom in
the Judaeo-Christian tradition. This is a personal issue based on a
previous promise; however, I would state that a dedicated researcher
should not have too much difficulty sourcing information today.
Serpent and Tree symbolism are the keys to the hidden wisdom in
Biblical lore. It is also true that there is nothing new under the sun
– what is hidden in one culture may be fully revealed in another,
notwithstanding some culturally specific (slight) differences.
20. The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us what Heaven's kingdom is like."
He said to them, "It's like a mustard seed, the smallest of all seeds,
but when it falls on prepared soil, it produces a large plant and
becomes a shelter for birds of the sky."
Above parable adequately covered in NT writings.
21. Mary said to Jesus, "What are your disciples like?"
He said, "They are like little children living in a field that is not
theirs. When the owners of the field come, they will say, 'Give us back
our field.' They take off their clothes in front of them in order to
give it back to them, and they return their field to them.
For this reason I say, if the owners of a house know that a thief is
coming, they will be on guard before the thief arrives and will not let
the thief break into their house (their domain) and steal their
possessions.
As for you, then, be on guard against the world. Prepare yourselves
with great strength, so the robbers can't find a way to get to you, for
the trouble you expect will come.
Let there be among you a person who understands.
When the crop ripened, he came quickly carrying a sickle and harvested it. Anyone here with two good ears had better listen!"
A
very cogent reminder that we are all living on borrowed time that
everything including our lives has been supplied by the Creative
principle – how arrogant we are at times to think we actually possess
or create anything! Man is a tenant – a very bad one, he destroys
God’s/nature’s great gift and shows no respect for the planet (field)
or the things that inhabit it (terrestrial life). This ‘man’ will
leave his tenancy and his soul desolate. The landlord will evict and
re-lease to worthy tenants.
22. Jesus saw some babies nursing. He said to his disciples, "These
nursing babies are like those who enter the (Father's) kingdom."
They said to him, "Then shall we enter the (Father's) kingdom as babies?"
Jesus said to them, "When you make the two into one, and when you make
the inner like the outer and the outer like the inner, and the upper
like the lower, and when you make male and female into a single one, so
that the male will not be male nor the female be female, when you make
eyes in place of an eye, a hand in place of a hand, a foot in place of
a foot, an image in place of an image, then you will enter [the
kingdom]."
Jesus
directs our attention to the undifferentiated consciousness of a
suckling infant and then proceeds to instruct with another riddle, the
meaning of which is unity and transformation – all made perfect in ONE
(John 17) There are no binaries in the One God. When dualistic or
pluralistic modes of consciousness are eliminated we may attain to the
One monistic Godhead. This is the transformation that is required of
all Christians if they are to follow their master’s lead/example.
23. Jesus said, "I shall choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as a single one."
Always the call to Unity, that is Godhead – is it that few are chosen, or is it that few undertake the task/challenge?
24. His disciples said, "Show us the place where you are, for we must seek it."
He said to them, "Anyone here with two ears had better listen! There is
light within a person of light, and it shines on the whole world. If it
does not shine, it is dark."
If
we seek Him/ourselves, we are directed to our innate internal
Light/spark – failure to recognise or Cultivate this Light would result
in darkness (the syndrome of worldly souls).
25. Jesus said, "Love your friends like your own soul, protect them like the pupil of your eye."
And love your neighbour as yourself – meaning is clear.
26. Jesus said, "You see the sliver in your friend's eye, but you don't
see the timber in your own eye. When you take the timber out of your
own eye, then you will see well enough to remove the sliver from your
friend's eye."
Physician,
heal thyself! The pre-requisite of healing others is self-healing
first; or let he who is without fault find ‘fault’!
27. "If you do not fast from the world, you will not find the
(Father's) kingdom. If you do not observe the sabbath as a sabbath you
will not see the Father."
Avoid
entanglement in the mundane affairs of this world. Abstaining
completely (sabbath) is a mental attitude – do not be attached to the
fruits of labour; maintain focus and remain detached (perfect
equanimity) and you will not fail to find God.
28. Jesus said, "I took my stand in the midst of the world, and in
flesh I appeared to them. I found them all drunk, and I did not find
any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity,
because they are blind in their hearts and do not see, for they came
into the world empty, and they also seek to depart from the world empty.
But meanwhile they are drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they will change their ways."
If
Truth were presented to a worldly person it would not be recognised.
Jesus himself could walk the streets today and he would not be
recognised. The children of the world are distracted and find comfort
in the things of the world. They would retaliate if offered ‘pearls of
wisdom’ – theirs is a stupor born of various ‘intoxicants’. Yet if we
remain free of intoxicating influences, our innate inclinations would
again direct us. Allow the God-given Light in us all to shine.
29. Jesus said, "If the flesh came into being because of spirit, that
is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is
a marvel of marvels.
“At
first there was the Word..”, from The Spirit came all else; however, if
the Spirit becomes manifest (into Being) through the body then that
event is greater than the first, marvel of all marvels. Jesus refers
to himself and our potential! The human being is perfectly designed
for this “marvellous” task/experience ie to manifest the Spirit of God….
Yet I marvel at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty."
..…When
it occurs it never fails to astound – how this insignificant coil
(relative to the ‘body’ of God) is able to withstand and experience the
Glory and Bliss that is Truth/Infinity, constantly defies description.
30. Jesus said, "Where there are three deities, they are divine. Where there are two or one, I am with that one."
”The
Lord thy God is ONE Lord” “....made perfect in ONE”. There are
numerous references to the continuity/singularity (Infinity in any
other language) of God in the Canon. The above verse is entirely
compatible with the monism of Jesus Christ. The mystery is that the
majority of ‘Christians’ have little (if any) understanding of
Infinity!
31. Jesus said, "No prophet is welcome on his home turf; doctors don't cure those who know them."
This
refers to the stultifying effect that preconceptions have on us all.
Our rose-coloured glasses cast our bias on an otherwise uncorrupted
view.
32. Jesus said, "A city built on a high hill and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden."
A
developed ‘body’ of Light becomes our city on a high hill;
unassailable, a place of refuge and strength – it presents as
exceptional and does not pass unnoticed.
33. Jesus said, "What you will hear in your ear, in the other ear proclaim from your rooftops.
After all, no one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, nor does
one put it in a hidden place. Rather, one puts it on a lampstand so
that all who come and go will see its light."
Jesus
knows the advantages of accountability and by inference full
disclosure; secrets are not only a sign of weakness and fear but are
the very means by which we are brought to destruction. Only cowards
and those of ill intent have something to hide. In the spiritual sense
it is a call not to hide the ‘Light of our souls’ from others. We are
One and are therefore mutually affective.
34. Jesus said, "If a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall into a hole."
One would hope this needs no explanation!
35. Jesus said, "One can't enter a strong person's house and take it by
force without tying his hands. Then one can loot his house."
Do
not allow yourself to be beguiled or surrender your sovereignty to
anything; otherwise be prepared to be despoiled and consigned to
slavery.
36. Jesus said, "Do not fret, from morning to evening and from evening
to morning, [about your food--what you're going to eat, or about your
clothing--] what you are going to wear. [You're much better than the
lilies, which neither card nor spin.
As for you, when you have no garment, what will you put on? Who might
add to your stature? That very one will give you your garment.]"
Adequately
dealt with in NT writings – “Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed
like one of these..” All things come from the Creator; his creation
surpasses everything. It meets its own requirements – a perfect
harmony for us providing we harmonise with it! Also, indicates the
ineffectiveness of thought as opposed to attunement, or more accurately
at-one-ment.
37. His disciples said, "When will you appear to us, and when will we see you?"
Jesus said, "When you strip without being ashamed, and you take your
clothes and put them under your feet like little children and trample
then, then [you] will see the son of the living one and you will not be
afraid."
When
we free ourselves from inhibiting social conventions (constraints) and
dispense with the culturally created identity, if we are able to regain
our pristine state devoid of fear – only then are we able to apprehend
the Living God.
38. Jesus said, "Often you have desired to hear these sayings that I am
speaking to you, and you have no one else from whom to hear them. There
will be days when you will seek me and you will not find me."
As
all else, these sayings and the commentary issue from the Singularity
that is Being – One God, One source – however, while on this earth, due
to its characteristic nature, existence ‘oscillates’ and at times we
may feel we have ‘lost touch’. It is only temporary, as if to
constantly test our dedication/focus and fortitude – be vigilant at all
times.
39. Jesus said, "The Pharisees and the scholars have taken the keys of
knowledge and have hidden them. They have not entered nor have they
allowed those who want to enter to do so.
As for you, be as sly as snakes and as simple as doves."
This
refers to rulers and their elites who would keep the masses ignorant;
the newly appointed Pope (Ratzinger) regards mysticism as a threat to
the Church! This attitude defies theological reason but in a political
context would serve to maintain an institutionalised hierarchical
structure. In a world with such perverse values it may be prudent to
be as wise as serpents and as gentle as doves.
40. Jesus said, "A grapevine has been planted apart from the Father.
Since it is not strong, it will be pulled up by its root and will
perish."
That which is contrary to universal harmony will be eliminated.
41. Jesus said, "Whoever has something in hand will be given more, and
whoever has nothing will be deprived of even the little they have."
We
were brought into existence for a specific purpose – fulfil your raison
d’etre. Failing to act or hearken to our inner voice/impulse would
result in a double deficit.
42. Jesus said, "Be passersby."
The world may be alluring, fascinating and tantalising; whatever it appears to be it is chimera, a dream.
Sojourn this world as a visitor not a resident. The heart leads us home.
43. His disciples said to him, "Who are you to say these things to us?"
"You don't understand who I am from what I say to you.
Rather, you have become like the Judeans, for they love the tree but hate its fruit, or they love the fruit but hate the tree."
Who
can recognise the butterfly inside the grub? We cannot be selective
regarding Truth and the circumstances that accompany it; avoiding the
portion that does not appeal could result in loss of the whole. Would
we reject the grub and rob ourselves of a butterfly.
44. Jesus said, "Whoever blasphemes against the Father will be
forgiven, and whoever blasphemes against the son will be forgiven, but
whoever blasphemes against the holy spirit will not be forgiven, either
on earth or in heaven."
The
implication is clear, the Holy Spirit is the ‘higher’ aspect of the
Christian Trinity; it is the essential element, the quintessential
aspect of God. In accordance with the language utilised, the Father,
Son and by inference and implication, the Divine Mother (Holy Spirit).
The reader is at liberty to interpret this saying – the Christian
Trinity is an absurdity without the ‘Mother’. Has She been blasphemed?
45. Jesus said, "Grapes are not harvested from thorn trees, nor are figs gathered from thistles, for they yield no fruit.
Good persons produce good from what they've stored up; bad persons
produce evil from the wickedness they've stored up in their hearts, and
say evil things. For from the overflow of the heart they produce evil."
The
meaning is clear, however, to cite a known example. The US is famous
for fast food (slow poison) and mass production. This ideology has
found its way into American religion – I refer to Billy Graham and his
Evangelicals. Graham’s most infamous convert is George Bush, this
character (Bush) was personally tutored and converted by Graham. The
promulgation of Evangelicalism around the globe is tantamount to the
marketing of Coca-Cola and MacDonalds, ‘gimme that K-Mart religion, its
good enuf for me!’ Graham’s unabashed support for ultra-right-wing
politicians, Richard Nixon and George Bush is no secret – anyone with
whom Jesus has relationship would not have supported the two most
sordid, deceitful liars the nation has had to endure. Indeed, ‘the
pear falls under the pear tree’. You will know them by their fruits.
46. Jesus said, "From Adam to John the Baptist, among those born of
women, no one is so much greater than John the Baptist that his eyes
should not be averted.
But I have said that whoever among you becomes a child will recognize the (Father's) kingdom and will become greater than John."
Jesus
proclaims himself as the greater aspect of transformative power. It
would seem that his appearance on the earth plane enables a higher
degree of achievement than that offered by those who preceded him. The
greater transformative power (for believers) occurs since his
terrestrial intervention!
47. Jesus said, "A person cannot mount two horses or bend two bows.
And a slave cannot serve two masters, otherwise that slave will honor the one and offend the other.
Nobody drinks aged wine and immediately wants to drink young wine.
Young wine is not poured into old wineskins, or they might break, and
aged wine is not poured into a new wineskin, or it might spoil.
An old patch is not sewn onto a new garment, since it would create a tear."
Similar to Canonical content - self-explanatory.
48. Jesus said, "If two make peace with each other in a single house,
they will say to the mountain, 'Move from here!' and it will move."
The
single house is man. As a result of conflict between Spirit and the
(culturally fabricated) personality most people are at war with
themselves (the house divided cannot stand). Inner conflict must be
eliminated if we would reach our full potential and release all our
creative power.
49. Jesus said, "Congratulations to those who are alone and chosen, for
you will find the kingdom. For you have come from it, and you will
return there again."
We
are all alone in the midst of tumult. Alone we arrive, live and
depart. The ‘chosen’ aspect is whether we realise this and find our
place of rest.
50. Jesus said, "If they say to you, 'Where have you come from?' say to
them, 'We have come from the light, from the place where the light came
into being by itself, established [itself], and appeared in their
image.'
If they say to you, 'Is it you?' say, 'We are its children, and we are the chosen of the living Father.'
If they ask you, 'What is the evidence of your Father in you?' say to them, 'It is motion and rest.'"
The
evidence of the Father is indeed “motion and rest”. Entire creation
emanated from the Singular (source of Light). Universal creation is
described as a dance in many cultures (motion). The conclusion of the
dance of universal creation is perfect repose resulting from
equilibrium (pralaya) – all the forces in the universe are spent
(attain perfect balance, rest!) This is confirmed in the spiritual and
scientific sense. This process (renewed) then enters another cycle of
‘motion’.
51. His disciples said to him, "When will the rest for the dead take place, and when will the new world come?"
He said to them, "What you are looking forward to has come, but you don't know it."
The rest for the ‘dead’, is the awakening to Life. That Life transforms the entire universe, time/death
is destroyed, the slayer is slain! Eternity arrives as the New World
or ‘second coming’. When time is destroyed there is only Now and “Now”
is an eternal continuum or Life everlasting.
52. His disciples said to him, "Twenty-four prophets have spoken in Israel, and they all spoke of you."
He said to them, "You have disregarded the living one who is in your presence, and have spoken of the dead."
If Christ taught us anything it is that he LIVES, “I am with you always, till the end of time”. To
disregard the Living God in favour of a text or self-proclaimed prophet
or any other substitute is spiritual suicide, which leads to misery,
‘death’.
53. His disciples said to him, "Is circumcision useful or not?"
He said to them, "If it were useful, their father would produce
children already circumcised from their mother. Rather, the true
circumcision in spirit has become profitable in every respect."
Self-explanatory.
54. Jesus said, "Congratulations to the poor, for to you belongs Heaven's kingdom."
The fewer possessions and attachments we have, the easier it is to ascend.
55. Jesus said, "Whoever does not hate father and mother cannot be my
disciple, and whoever does not hate brothers and sisters, and carry the
cross as I do, will not be worthy of me."
Strong language utilised to make a strong point – there can be nothing between you and your God, not even a thought!
56. Jesus said, "Whoever has come to know the world has discovered a
carcass, and whoever has discovered a carcass, of that person the world
is not worthy."
Fools
love the world and its tinsel glitter; have you witnessed maggots
writhing in a carcass? Now think of Bush, Blair, Bin Laden etc., and
the world in its present state. Why would You?
57 Jesus said, "The Father's kingdom is like a person who has [good]
seed. His enemy came during the night and sowed weeds among the good
seed. The person did not let the workers pull up the weeds, but said to
them, 'No, otherwise you might go to pull up the weeds and pull up the
wheat along with them.' For on the day of the harvest the weeds will be
conspicuous, and will be pulled up and burned."
Just works reap just rewards – in the midst of corruption never compromise your integrity.
58. Jesus said, "Congratulations to the person who has toiled and has found life."
Christianity is not a passive process, as some Paulinists would have you believe – we must overcome as HE overcame.
59. Jesus said, "Look to the living one as long as you live, otherwise
you might die and then try to see the living one, and you will be
unable to see."
The
last state of our life is the beginning state of our death. Nothing
can be taken (on departure) except our spirit; the intensity of Light
that emanates from it is in direct proportion to the attention given it
in life. If we wasted our lives on vacuous pursuits we enter the next
phase in a retarded condition.
60. He saw a Samaritan carrying a lamb and going to Judea. He said to
his disciples, "that person ... around the lamb." They said to him, "So
that he may kill it and eat it." He said to them, "He will not eat it
while it is alive, but only after he has killed it and it has become a
carcass."
They said, "Otherwise he can't do it."
He said to them, "So also with you, seek for yourselves a place for rest, or you might become a carcass and be eaten."
If
you fail to find your God/rest (in the City on the hill) – you live a
life of vulnerability and are liable to be consumed by those against
whom you may not have defences.
61. Jesus said, "Two will recline on a couch; one will die, one will live."
Salome said, "Who are you mister? You have climbed onto my couch and eaten from my table as if you are from someone."
Jesus said to her, "I am the one who comes from what is whole. I was granted from the things of my Father."
"I am your disciple."
"For this reason I say, if one is whole, one will be filled with light,
but if one is divided, one will be filled with darkness."
If
we are distracted we are lost – “if thine eye be single..” if we are
divided we are vanquished and ruined. However, if we remain true to
our (Singular) creation – regardless of attempts by others to
compromise our integrity we always prevail as is demonstrated today by
the simple fact that this commentary is being written approx. two
thousand years after the creation of the Gospel. The tradition of the
sons and daughters of Light is as old as man and concludes only with
the dissolution of entire creation – when the world is “rolled like a
scroll”. No one outside the ‘undivided’ can touch or pollute the
Light. We are ONE.
62. Jesus said, "I disclose my mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] mysteries.
We
are all potentially worthy – would you not overcome your fears and
other divisive forces in your being and realise what/who you really
are? Be brave, do not look back and endure to the end. Your prize is
assured. Peace to you.
63 Jesus said, "There was a rich person who had a great deal of money.
He said, 'I shall invest my money so that I may sow, reap, plant, and
fill my storehouses with produce, that I may lack nothing.' These were
the things he was thinking in his heart, but that very night he died.
Anyone here with two ears had better listen!"
What
are our priorities in life? Has anyone been able to take anything other
than their spirit with them in death? Would we find a secure haven in
eternity or in the transient manifestations of this world? All
attention and efforts directed to the development of the ‘body of
Light’ are not wasted in this world or any other. Would we leave this
world spiritually ‘bankrupt’? Make your choice!
64. Jesus said, "A person was receiving guests. When he had prepared the dinner, he sent his slave to invite the guests.
The slave went to the first and said to that one, 'My master invites
you.' That one said, 'Some merchants owe me money; they are coming to
me tonight. I have to go and give them instructions. Please excuse me
from dinner.'
The slave went to another and said to that one, 'My master has invited
you.' That one said to the slave, 'I have bought a house, and I have
been called away for a day. I shall have no time.'
The slave went to another and said to that one, 'My master invites
you.' That one said to the slave, 'My friend is to be married, and I am
to arrange the banquet. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse me
from dinner.'
The slave went to another and said to that one, 'My master invites
you.' That one said to the slave, 'I have bought an estate, and I am
going to collect the rent. I shall not be able to come. Please excuse
me.'
The slave returned and said to his master, 'Those whom you invited to
dinner have asked to be excused.' The master said to his slave, 'Go out
on the streets and bring back whomever you find to have dinner.'
Buyers and merchants [will] not enter the places of my Father."
Could
it be that the Lord sent his Son to invite us all to his presence and
we were found worshiping at mammon’s Corporate feet and following the
ways of the world?
65. He said, "A [...] person owned a vineyard and rented it to some
farmers, so they could work it and he could collect its crop from them.
He sent his slave so the farmers would give him the vineyard's crop.
They grabbed him, beat him, and almost killed him, and the slave
returned and told his master. His master said, 'Perhaps he didn't know
them.' He sent another slave, and the farmers beat that one as well.
Then the master sent his son and said, 'Perhaps they'll show my son
some respect.' Because the farmers knew that he was the heir to the
vineyard, they grabbed him and killed him. Anyone here with two ears
had better listen!"
Similar
to previous verse except more damning of the perversity (avarice) that
leads even to murder and war. [Also refers to the tradition of
prophets and the concept of Messiah.] But has anything changed? Let’s
lie and engage in illegal wars and kill each other for money and
resources rather than embrace as One! It is not difficult to identify
the tribalists, elitists and divisionists. How many times per day do
we murder Christ in the present?
66. Jesus said, "Show me the stone that the builders rejected: that is the keystone."
Jesus refers to himself as the keystone of the new faith and the portal to the ‘inner chamber’.
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