GOSPEL of THOMAS RESEARCH

GOSPEL of THOMAS RESEARCH ______(Version 01/09/18 by Sean A. Lawrence)

THE MANUSCRIPT: #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 …” (5;pg 9) And, #77) Jesus said,“I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all come forth, and to me all attained. Split a piece of wood: I am there. Lift up a stone and you will find me there.” (5;pg 1)

Or as related in #79) of the Gospel of Q, a redaction of common source information from Matthew and Luke … Jesus was asked, “When will the Kingdom of God arrive?” He replied, “You won’t be able to see the Kingdom of God, when it comes. People won’t be able to say ‘it’s here’ or ‘it’s over there.’ ‘The Kingdom of God is among you.’” (14B;pg 114)

The [so-called] Gospel of Thomas is one of a variety of Jesus traditions, including Matthew, the Q Gospel, Mark and John. The intent of this document is to indicate that, while the GOT does not have all of the elements associated with a complete Christoligical text, it does appear to recollect the ministry of Jesus at a time when the birth and resurrection were not well understood, i.e. during His ministry, and in a manner that illustrates how His followers may have viewed this messianic prophet, this man, this God, our Lord, Savior and friend. If it is a pre-Gospel tradition, which I tend to believe that it is, then it is in a style that would be useful for reference.The codex style dispenses with elaborate narrative and provides succinct bullet points for personal guidance. We often see this in the personal effects we use in our daily lives. Two examples are The Bible Promise Book, NIV, published by Barbour and Company, Inc. and the various New Testaments or Psalms cheaply published for mass distribution to mission fields and the U.S. Armed Forces. These are simple, easily digested directions for consumption on the run and in the line of fire, literally and spiritually.

A word about Jesus Christ from Flavius Josephus, an historian who tells us briefly, but succinctly about who He was believed to have been, and He is mentioned by name, and in more detail than any of the other tens of thousands of persons known to have been crucified by Rome. What is it that makes Jesus Christ so compelling to friend and foe alike?

From “The Complete Works.” translated by William Whiston, A.M., chapter and verse 18.3.3, Now there was about this time Jesus, a wise man, if it be lawful to call him a man, for he was doer of wonderful works – a teacher of such men as receive the truth with pleasure. He drew many over to him both many of the Jews, and many of the Gentiles. He was [the] Christ; and when Pilate, at the suggestion of the principal men among us, had condemned him to the cross, those that loved him at the first did not forsake him, for he appeared to them alive again the third day, as the divine prophets had foretold these and

1 ten thousand other wonderful things concerning him; and the tribe of Christians, so named from him, are not extinct at this day. (32B;pg 576) This would have been written later in the first century after the fall of the Temple in A.D. 70, as a history, not as a first- hand account..

Einstein once remarked that after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, everything had changed but our way of thinking. It is more than a coincidence that in that same year a book buried for centuries was found in Egypt, a book we know as the Gospel of Thomas. (56B; from Introduction, The Gospel of Thomas A Guidebook for Spiritual Guidance by Ron Miller and Stevan Davies.)

From author Bart D. Ehrman: As with political and broad cultural conflicts, the winners in battles for religious supremacy rarely publicize their opponent’s views. What if they were found to be persuasuve? (53B;pg 47)

Discovery of the GOT in 1945 at Nag Hammadi, Egypt (Note: the Dead Sea Scrolls were found at 11 different sites between 1947 and 1956 on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea. This site is near Qumran about 13 miles east of Jerusalem).

An Egyptian peasant, a farmer, Muhammad ‘Ali al-Samman, made a find of at least 13 manuscripts consisting of 52 texts in December 1945. They were written on papyrus, bound in leather, and buried in an earthen vessel. The location was near the town of Nag Hammadi at the Jabal al-Tarif, a mountain honeycombed with over 150 caves located on the Nile northwest of Aswan near Luxor. Unfortunately the farmer’s mother admits burning most of the manuscripts along with straw as kindling, unaware of their priceless nature. We may never know what has been lost. (Among other sources, the most critical in relating the discovery and subsequent handling of the Nag Hammadi Library is the Introduction in Elaine Pagels’ The Gnostic Gospels 15B;pg 8-14)

After an altercation in the local area to avenge the death of al-Samman’s father, a portion of the texts was turned over to a local priest for safekeeping in the event they might be confiscated during the investigation. Eventually, when one of the manuscripts found its way to the black market for antiquities, and when an effort was made to determine valuation and authenticity, the Egyptian government became aware of the find and appropriated the remaining manuscripts (10-1/2 codices) placing them in a Coptic museum in Cairo.

However, a piece of the collection (most of the thirteenth codex containing 5 texts) was later smuggled to America for sale, and caught the attention of Professor Gilles Quispel, a distinguished historian & linguist at Utrecht in the Netherlands. Wanting to know more of certain missing pages he flew to Cairo in 1955 where he began translating [in the context of] the set. The first words he made out were nothing short of revolutionary: “These are the secret words which the living Jesus spoke, and which the twin, Judas Thomas, wrote down.” (1;pg 1)

2 This gospel was one of 55 texts discovered at Nag Hammadi. Preserved in Coptic, the final stage of the classical Egyptian language, having evolved after the invasion of Alexander the Great (332 BC) and later supplanted by Arabic following the Muslim conquest (640AD), it adopted the Greek alphabet as well as additional “loan” words. Coptic has always been the liturgical language of the Egyptian church, in much the same way Latin had been to the Roman church until the mid-twentieth century. It has been determined that the manuscripts were 1500 year-old translations of older writings… presumably, the Gospel was originally composed in Greek, as some fragments were interred with the Coptic translations, though some scholars believe Syrian or Aramaic to be the original language. This is where it becomes very interesting because it implies that something came before … as original documentation, though more than likely an oral tradition, which may support the notion that Thomas [may have written] this gospel prior to his death … possibly mid-first century, and/or transmitted it to students or disciples. This might also explain some of the more Gnostic flavor (if that is how it is to be described) ascribed o the Thomas codex, if it were to have been committed to “paper” in a time of Gnostic influence ... prior to a more orthodox institution in the mid-fourth century. Even John has a somewhat Gnostic flavor to his writing which would be no surprise. The Gnostic movement began at least 10 years prior to his death and remained strong up into the beginning of the 3rd century.

From a timing perspective, the writings that were hidden at Nag Hammadi and Qumran were decidedly handled in this manner because of the treatment of heresy, in light of the consensus of authorities and the formulation of the canon; by Bishops of what would become the [Roman] Catholic Church. This would have occurred mid to late fourth century. Unfortunately a significant amount of early Christian doctrine was set aside and/or destroyed. It would truly be a blessing if more of the above discoveries were to come to pass. We need more information on practices and belief systems from the time of Christ’s ministry through the 3rd & 4th centuries. This would help many of us in further defining what it meant to be Christian in these turbulent times.

Scholars tend to agree that it is more likely, than not, that there was some level of disagreement regarding certain aspects of Christ’s life, teachings, and the implications of His death & resurrection, especially in the years immediately following His brief ministry. Until the 3rd century there would have been more blending of tradition and interpretation, than afterword. This is my presumption. While Gnostic by association and definition, the Gospel of Thomas tends to be less “gnostic” in content, and more generally in keeping with the Canonical and Synoptic Gospels. As well, there are strong ties to Old Testament traditional writings (prophetic and legal) most of which are reflected in the sayings of Jesus both inside and outside of the Canon. This “red thread” of inspiration will be better mapped out in the study of the individual sayings, all 114 of them. The exception will be 114, which I believe is an aberration.

It was centuries later, as noted in the previous paragraph, that the Gospels as we know them, were distilled. … this is what we have come to accept and defend being an orthodox western culture steeped in Roman Catholic and post-Lutheran theology. Is there more to be revealed? It appears that John thought so, for he said this in conclusion to his first 3 writing (John 21:25), And there are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they were written in detail, I suppose that even the world itself would not contain the books which were written. (13B;pg 1433)

Is there doctrine purposly excluded by the [corporate] universal Church for the more obvious reasons of self-preservation, and retention of authority? Were there ulterior motives? I am certain of it. The edifice we call the church cannot truly represent the body of Christ when such conflict is unresolved, and the essence of who He is, is under such a weighty thumb. We presume to know the mind and the will of God, as though we might put Him in a box of our own design. A case in point is the development of the Canon and the distinguishing of what is to be read as heresy and what is not.

I believe that a true heresy is an effort to knowingly and deliberately mislead the ignorant or the well-intentioned, or to subvert a doctrine or theology by actively perpetrating falsehood and misdirection. This is truly an evil and can be viewed as nothing less. On the other hand a conflicting viewpoint is not a true heresy if it is not measured by that standard. A wrong opinion is just that. Both those inside and outside the church have participated in elevating wrong opinions to a high level. That is false doctrine.

Because Christ was a common-sense teacher, I see no reason to judge Scripture in a dissimilar manner. If it makes sense and supports a consensus, it should viewed as such, and should withstand the investigation of other called followers of Christ. In many cases the “good touch-bad touch” test applies. If it really does not resonate or it just plain feels wrong, then maybe it is. But don’t always judge by another’s atandards. Ask God what He thinks. That is prayer, and the known result is guidance by the Holy Spirit. Peter was very adamant about the reality of such revelation in the Acts of the Apostles.

But know that we are men, and as such have misrepresented God at every turn, even in our finest moments. Why? Because we cannot put into words the Great Mystery, let alone decide who of us is more right or righteous than another. Thankfully, God does preserve the essentials, because man has always been in deep conflict over serving self or serving The Kingdom. Many good men have been confused in this pursuit. It is my firm belief that God, as a perfect God, will continue to reveal what we need to know, and will provide us the necessary discernment through the Holy Spirit. We will be forever earnestly participating in the process of sorting the Word from the debris of the world. And yet, for all we don’t know, there is one thing we can be absolutely certain of … Christ is King!

Some have said that this approach (being one with the whole creation, etc.) is a sort of pagan approach verging on pantheism. The dictionary says this about Gnosticism …a system of mystical religious and philosophical doctrines(belief systems), combining Christianity with Greek and Oriental philosophies, propagated by early Christian sects that were denounced as heretical. (Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary; copyright 1983; Edited under Jean L. McKechnie; Dorset & Babler)

The Gnostics basically believed that wisdom and understanding (knowing) was the true way to experience Christ, and therefore the Father. This was in opposition to methods of 4 prescribed faith, and more predominately, works … and that Christ was divine, not of the flesh, appearing in His need to reveal Himself. It is true that Gnostics did blend, and appear at times to misinterpret the true faith, but so have various splinter groups to this day. In fact, very large congregations generally have very closed minds on some things and very open minds on others. It is personal revelation, not doctrine, that is at the heart of Christianity. Many are mislead by well-meaning clergy who want to appeal to the masses. Gnostics were no different. While some were docetic in their presentation of Jesus, and others did promote forged authorship, this is an oversimplification of right and wrong; it does drill down to the essence of why conflict arose in the centuries following the Resurrection. I believe it requires a combination of these often conflicted methods of experience and interpretation, i.e. tradition and Spirit that must be married. There is a need to reflect on early church practices, especially the more charismatic and ecstatic experiences, not systematically ruling them out. It’s the excitement we need, and while a need to discern, to also withhold the rod of judgment. God will perform that task at His pleasure, in His time. We can only be prepared, study and practice that which is right in that it glorifies and praises Christ as Lord. That is the litmus test of the day to day.

Keep in mind that Gnostic Christians varied widely in their approach to the understanding of who God was, and who Christ was and their relationship to Him as worshipers. Often they divided the physical and spiritual realms, believing that Christ in the flesh was but a phantom. We know that the spirit does rise above the flesh which is a temporary residence. As with modern divisions within the faith, such as occur with varying & conflicting denominations or sects, many have followed leaders who are notably charismatic and or profound thinkers. It is said that the church today is more harmonious in practice, despite denominational rivalry, than in any other time in history. While that may be true, I am not convinced that the reasons for conformity are necessarily good ones. Something of the beauty is squeezed out in the name of conform-ation. And without a doubt, some have created self-serving cults of personality.

Thomas was one of the more moderate in that he represented Christ in more intimate terms … especially in light of what we now know through the Gospel of Q, John, etc. That is to say he remained highly consistent with other known inspired works, especially Matthew, Mark, Luke, as well as the discarded Nicodemus and the Lost Gospel of Peter. There were many mysteries and serious questions unanswered in the hearts of those left in the wake of the most important event in human history, no … I dare say, in the history of the cosmos. Some of these “lost texts” help us to understand.

I do personally reject the aspirations of Gnostics who attempted to lower God to their standards or raise themselves to God’s. But in that regard not much has changed. But it is not true that all who differ in their beliefs are automatically wrong or misdirected. Maybe in our haste to judge we neglect to recognize the certain beauty. For certain, it is blasphemous to entertain the notion that if we “know” we become gods or christs, bringing heaven to us in a futile effort to also be divine. We can, however, through a desire to learn and open ourselves, be vessels of the Most Holy and to rise toward God in spirit. To say we will ever be equals is, in fact, heresy! To say that we will share in the divine is not. 5 And, while I am confident that I am able to discern the difference, there is a very distinct part of Christ’s sayings that is overtly Zen … what I would call being about the act of being. This not to be construed as a bad thing in and of itself. If Christ is in, and of all things, then it stands to reason that He would also be the accrued good that humanity, and the whole of creation, had accumulated and retained regardless of point of origin. It is that design we have always had emblazoned on our DNA … in essence the blueprint or template of God laid upon our hearts. By that I am referring to the good and the useful, not evil. As a matter of definition, I see Zen as a philosophy of perception rather than a practice of faith. A religion by definition.

I believe that a statement like, “the Kingdom is within us and all around us” is some of the most reassuring Scripture I have ever read. Far from being heresy, it is about truly perceiving that it is “what it is.” After all, Christ asks only that we believe. It is not about doing, but being willing. In that vein I don’t believe you can separate God from the whole of His creation, because the Trinity is why creation exists, and how it exists, and why it must exist. God even allows evil to exist (in His creation) because it allows for choice. If people see God’s handiwork in a beautiful sunset, why not in the organic faces of wood and stone?

In the context of the first few centuries A.D. with respect to the emergence of a unified “catholic” church and its handling of pre-existing belief systems, sects and the like:

From The Gnostics by Tobias Churtan ... A heretic was somebody who felt or thought or preached that he could have a relationship with God without the authority of the Catholic Church. (52B;pg 70-1)

Not all historians have ‘clean hands’ ... (52B;pg 67)

The Church had involved itself with political power and worldly vice. Christ had said that a man cannot serve two masters: God and Money. (52B;pg71)

From a commentary by Gilles Quispel describing his first reading of the words of the GOT in 1956 ... “That we had here an independent tradition of the sayings of Jesus.” (52B;pg 30)

From Lost Christianities by Bart D. Ehrman ... That all forms of modern Christianity, whether they acknowledge it or not, go back to one form of Christianity that emerged as victorious from the conflicts of the second and third centuries. This one form of Christianity decided what was the “correct” Christian perspective; it decided who could exercise authority over Christian belief and practice; and determined what forms of Christianity would be marginalized, set aside, destroyed. It also decided which books to canonize into Scripture, and which books to set aside as “heretical,” teaching false ideas. And then as a coup de grace, this victorious party rewrote the history of the controversy, making it appear that there had not been much of a conflict at all, claiming that its own views had always been those of the majority of Christians at all times ... (53B;pg 4) 6 PROFILE: Thomas (Didymos Judas Thomas: the Twin and the Doubter … NOT the twin of Christ as some assert in an effort to discredit, but the twin of another fully human being) is the disciple we all remember from the post-Resurrection accounts in the Gospels ... the one who was more like most of us, than not. It is difficult to believe in what we cannot see, let alone live by it; yet that is exactly what Christ asks us to do as he admonishes Thomas in John 20:29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (3B; pg1547)

Jay at the “Latter Rain” web page (9) notes that the Thomas in question is, by some, believed to be the brother of Matthew, more than likely, by virtue of them being named together in Matthew 10:3 …Thomas and Matthew the tax collector…; could he possibly be the twin of James (is it James, son of Zebedee, brother of John the beloved Disciple, fishermen working for Simon (Peter) at the time of their calling? We don’t know.) It is interesting that, while remembered as a doubter, Thomas could be driven by his intense loyalty once convinced. This trait was exemplified in John 11:16 when Jesus was reminded by the disciples that going back to raise Lazarus would place him again in harm’s way. Then Thomas, who is called the Twin, said to his fellow disciples, “Let us also go, that we may die with Him.” (3B;pg 1530)

The builder’s square and the spear, the instrument of his martyrdom, is his emblem (as he was known to be a builder by trade). It is believed that he preached until his death in Persia and India. In support of that tradition, until the 3rd century rumors still circulated about a Christian community in the Kerala district of India that claimed descent from Christians converted by the preaching of Thomas. This includes the belief in India that Thomas was speared to death near Madras. More specifically another version follows … Thomas spent money on the poor that was earmarked for the building of a royal palace. When the king demanded his palace, Thomas reminded him that God had prepared one for him in heaven. In his rage the king had Thomas thrust through with a spear, and buried at Edessa in eastern Turkey known today as Urfa. Evidence of this legend is purportedly his grave known to have been venerated into the 4th century [at Edessa].

THE BODY OF WORK : I will provide what I have gleaned through reading, prayer and discernment of the Holy Spirit, and additionally, what other sources suggest as comparisons to the 4 (Canonicals) … Matthew, Mark, Luke & John, sub-divided into the 3 (Synoptics) … Matthew, Mark & Luke who provide a synopsis or “general view,” with Matthew and Luke having the “Q” source as a common denominator. It is said that Thomas tradition predates the four, and was most probably the reference for them, as early as 35 and as late as 70-150 A.D. (1;pg 1) It is suggested (and I tend to accept this) that the language in Thomas is most likely the closest to the actual words of Jesus (if not the earliest literal transcribing from oral tradition) that exists.

7 There is also a suspected source called “Q” or Quelle (ka-vella) from the German. Rather than speculating on a source that remains unnamed, does it not stand to reason that the source would logically have been either Thomas, his students, or other unnamed disciples of Jesus Christ who gathered and transmitted (transcribed) what they heard during, or shortly after, His ministry?

Note that some of the language is said to be symbolic for purposes of use in the Gnostic movement, however, a great deal is very recognizable. Remember, also, that John was also very symbolic, even mystical, in his writings to avoid having material being used against him and others commissioned to spread the new faith. Both the Jewish and Roman authorities were eager to squelch the fledgling [Christian] movement. This was an activity that the politically empowered orthodox authorities engaged in, as well.

Jesus was very pro female-involvement in “The Way” as it was called, however you will see some language about male and female that sounds very discriminatory. While this may be attributed to the fact that there was much to be interpreted from the person of Christ, His ministry, His miracles, and His Resurrection, other research has provided me with at least one answer to that one … male and female [apparently] were symbolic for the church as follows: male refers to, or represents, the Gnostic Christians who are seeking to know the “secret” things as referred to in no.’s 1 & 2; while the female represents orthodox Christianity … the interpretation being, “abandon the female (orthodox) and become male (seeking the secret gnosis). (1;pg 3) While this sounds plausible, there is also the greater possibility that this was inserted at some point to either discredit the text or to underpin the growing Gnostic movement that was in direct conflict with the gathering presence of orthodoxy. In either case this appears to be an add-on and does not keep the basic tone of the balance of the text or the known teachings of Christ. And yet that odd slant toward the male in fact represented the very element of institutional orthodoxy that drove a wedge between the two groups … the orthodox church patterned itself after a male or patriarchal model, while the more Gnostic and fringe Christians were not opposed to having female leaders, prophets, etc. Mary Magdalene herself was a very highly respected person in the more intimate group of Christ’s disciples. Actually the anti-female bias was more a later development of the orthodox church (Paul and forward), and represents the very authoritarian mind set that Jesus railed against. It is entirely possible that it was added to pacify or to make it more palatable to those in the orthodox church as the canon was being sorted out in the 3rd and 4th centuries. I suppose this effort, while not very solid in apostolic terms, would appear to be more less volatile to the persecutors, (and would unfortunately support the strong cultural and social bias against females in Middle-Eastern antiquity, especially in traditional Jewish society) such as those like Saul who became the Paul of the letters to various upstart churches (Thessalonica, Ephesus, Philippi, etc) surrounding the Mediterranean. Paul was a Pharisee by training and practice, and was most likely predisposed to recreating order on the rim of the Mediterranean, where he circulated attempting to plant and sustain upstart churches in pagan, often hostile, environments.

Elaine Pagels says the following in regard to saying 114 ... The puzzling saying attributed to Jesus [in the Gospel of Thomas] – that Mary must become male in order to become a

8 “living spirit, resembling you males. For every woman who will make herself male will enter the Kingdom of Heaven”—may be taken symbolically: what is merely human (therefore female) must be transformed into what is divine (the “living spirit” the male). So, according …to other passages [they] become Jesus’ disciples when they transcend their human nature and so “become male.” (15B;pg 67)

As stated earlier, I suggest that the Gnostics may have couched some of the GOT sayings in gnostic verbiage to lend credence to their beliefs through the legitimate teachings of Jesus. But, as with any of the Gospels, one has to peel away the personal perspective and embellishment to get to the core of the message, which obviously remains intact. This is just one more buttress to the authenticity of His (Christ’s) teachings, not a detractor, as some would suggest. These Thomas Gospels are not an “all or nothing” proposition. Consider the metaphor of a gemstone … because the surrounding rock is not the gem itself does not devalue the gem. It (the surrounding rock) may not be the gem, however, its existence was absolutely necessary for the development (or transmission in this case) of that gemstone, if only for protection from the elements until it could be located and properly faceted or cultivated. This is the same rationale that has been a problem for the Creation/Evolution argument: it always has to be an “all or nothing” proposition. The only “all or nothing” issue, in my opinion, is belief in the divinity of Jesus Christ, our debt paid in full on the cross, and through Him the promise of eternal life.

Consider the most important support (or parallel) in GOT (hereafter to represent Gospel Of Thomas) as compared to the canonized text. Note: Coptic is a Northern Egyptian dialect used exclusively by a Christian sect (still used in the orthodox church) which translated from the original Greek and was probably transcribed from an earlier manuscript, presumably Aramaic or Syrian. With that in mind the emphasis will be on the Synoptics for reference and Greek for interpretation, where it exists, however scant. Coptic will be the critical focus because most of the text is in that translation, however the occasional Greek will help to support the veracity of that transcribing in illustrating how the basic tone or wording has remained intact despite various historical interpretations and transcriptions. The whole new Testament is in Greek, presumably at some point translated from indigenous dialects like Aramaic. It is my firm belief that this essential core accuracy is God’s way of preserving that which is vital for the study & practice of the Christian faith. Even with the Coptic transcription, it remains incredibly faithful to the accepted Biblical text as translated. I will demonstrate how it supports, not refutes, canonized verse, which has been in flux since it was first crystalized (combining both OT and NT) in about 357 A.D. The Biblical canon has ebbed and flowed throughout the centuries with concerns about the Apocrypha (in Greek meaning hidden, concealed or obscure), the Revelation of John, the Gospel of John and now the Gospel of Thomas. The Bible is a continuing revelation from God through the Holy Spirit, as men have only compiled what they have been aware of. Is it coincidence that the dead Sea Scrolls and The Nag Hammadi Library were discovered on the heels of the darkest period in world history …the Holocaust? I think not. (Thanks to Gary Markestad at Trinity Lutheran for his insight.) God continues to reveal Himself through the Bible we know and the Bible yet to be known. God loves His nation Israel.

9 Note: The Thomas codex was a list, and by all observations was probably used for quick reference of text deemed important to the transcriber as noted by Bart Ehrman below... and so, it would appear, was the unknown hypothetical author of the Q Gospels, if the current book version is in the accurate context.

Again from Lost Christianities, “While the matter continues to be debated among scholars, most think that he did not use the Synoptic Gospels as a source. There are not enough word-for-word agreements to think that he did (unlike the extensive agreements among the Synoptics themselves.) Most think, instead that he had heard the sayings transmitted orally, by word of mouth (just as Mark, for example, heard the stories), and then collected a number of them together, some similar to those found in the Synoptics, some like the Synoptic sayings but with a twist, some not at all like the Synoptic sayings. (53B;pg 59)

Was it done by a forger who claimed the name of Thomas? Yes, possibly. Was it by followers of the Thomas discipleship? Yes, Possibly. Does it appear to represent a separate tradition that later fed into what is now the canon of the Bible? It appears to be a real possibility. Why the turf wars over Scripture that serves to buttress and enrich? That is the real question?

A comparison of the Gospel of Thomas to the New Testament gospels has been a matter of special interest: many of the sayings of the Gospel of Thomas have parallels in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke). A comparison of the sayings in the Gospel of Thomas with their parallels in the synoptic gospels suggest that the sayings in the Gospel of Thomas either are present in a more primitive form or are developments of a more primitive form of such sayings. Indeed, the Gospel of Thomas resembles the synoptic sayings source, often called “Q,” which was the common source of sayings used by Matthew and Luke. Hence the Gospel of Thomas and its sources are collections of sayings and parables which are closely related to the sources of the New Testament Gospels. (17B;pg 299) From the Introduction to the Thomas Gospels by Helmut Koester

Gospel writings by approximate timing and by author (as identified) …

Thomas 35 A.D.__Paul of Tarsus 55 A.D.__Mark 70 A.D.__ Luke & Matthew 80 A.D.__John 90 A.D. (Author’s assumption about Thomas with information provided by Father Dan Daley of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bloomfield, New Mexico …late 2002)

Excerpts from John chapter 14 beginning with verse 5.

What we find is a typical Thomasonian question which is consistent with the Gospels, and reflects what appears to be referred to as Gnosticism. I see it as a questioning, inquisitive mind. We all have our favorite methods … such was the author’s of the Thomas Gospel.

Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?”

10 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Fathe r except through me. If you had known me you would have known My Father also. From now on you do know Him and have seen Him.” (3B;pg 1536) *

Philip said to Him, “Lord show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”

Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you have not known me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works. Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these will he do, because I go My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” (3B;pg 1536-37)

We are to know this because we know Him. Why would John have included this if it were not representative of Thomas’ position within The Way, and that the dialogue proved meaningful [to the extent that it provided an opportunity to make one of the strongest statements about who Christ was]? And, it emphasizes the truth about how one can come to the Father: ONLY through the Son [the Cross]. Philip’s question provides an opportunity for further fleshing out that is reminiscent, but an embellished version, of Thomas in 18, 38, 51, 59 & 108.

* From the Greek, Strong’s numbers, the root meanings of underlined words are for the purpose of understanding context and more exactitude in the intention of the passage. Taken from the Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible (13B; NT Lexicon) and (e- Sword CD5)

Way Strong's Number: G3598 Transliterated: hodos Phonetic: hod-os' hodos Text: apparently a primary word; a road; by implication a progress (the route, act or distance); figuratively, a mode or means: -- journey, (high-)way. Christ calls himself “The Way” because no one comes to the Father, or can approach the divine essence in a future state of blessedness but through Him.

Truth Strong's Number: G225 Transliterated: aletheia Phonetic: al-ay'-thi-a 11 aletheia

Text: from 227; truth: --true, X truly, truth, verity. Denotes the reality clearly lying before our eyes as opposed to a mere appearance without reality; or as opposed to types, emblems or shadows.

Life Strong's Number: G2222 Transliterated: zoe Phonetic: dzo-ay'

Text: from 2198; life (literally or figuratively): --life(-time). Compare 5590. Referring to the principle of life in the spirit and soul; distinguished from bios or physical life, it is the highest blessedness of the creature which expresses all of the highest and best which Christ is.

Father Strong's Number: G3962 Transliterated: pater Phonetic: pat-ayr'

Text: apparently a primary word; a "father" (literally or figuratively, near or more remote): --father, parent. As the first person of the Trinity, the Father, is so called to distinguish Him from the Son and the Holy Spirit. Our Father who art in heaven …

Known Strong's Number: G1097 Transliterated: ginosko Phonetic: ghin-oce'-ko

ginosko

12 Text: a prolonged form of a primary verb; to "know" (absolutely): --allow, be aware (of), feel, (have) know(-ledge), perceived, be resolved, can speak, be sure, understand. Usually to know experientially; to know, to perceive; to know, be conscious of.

Because any translation is imbued with inflection and innuendo that cannot adequately be captured in a superficial rendering of a word out of its original language context the Strong’s numbering system will be used periodically to provide a more accurate definition, adding breadth & depth to the passage being discussed. This will provide what was meant, not simply what was said. As human beings we have, by our very nature, bastardized the Word of God as we cannot hope to say that which cannot be said.

THE COLLECTION OF SAYINGS: THE GOSPEL OF ST. THOMAS

#1) (Coptic) And He said, “Whoever discovers the interpretation of these sayings will not taste death.” (5;pg 1)

(Greek) He said to them, “Whoever discovers [the interpretation] of these words shall never taste death.” (1;pg 3)

AT: Yeshua said: Whoever lives the interpretation of these words will no longer taste death. (63B;pg 9)

John 8:51: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” (13B;pg 1412)

Keep Strong's Number: 5083 Transliterated: tereo Phonetic: tay-reh'-o τηρεω

Thayer Definition: 1) to attend to carefully, take care of 1a) to guard 1b) metaphorically to keep, one in the state in which he is 1c) to observe 1d) to reserve: to undergo something From [Strong’s] τηρος teros (a watch; perhaps akin to G2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly by keeping the eye upon; by extension to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively to keep unmarried): - hold fast, keep (-er), (ob-, pre-, re) serve, watch.

13 To discover, to keep, to live: this is a verb; it is active! And, not about sitting on one’s hands. This is about doing and engaging. This is not about waiting for something to come to us, but to seek or discover … to pursue and hold fast.

If it is accepted that by discovering something that one generally has enough interest to lay claim, then it makes perfect sense that discovery of the Word is a prior step to keeping what one has found. An argument could be made for John’s Gospel taking the GOT to the next level. This does not degrade the canonical Gospels, and keep in mind, I am not a Greek scholar; therefore, I must rely on previous translations. I see it as … if one understands or interprets (takes the time to study and learn) then as a “believer” one need not taste death, i.e. one will have “eternal life” as Christ promised. This saying sets the tone for the balance of the Gospel.

The all-important concept, process, or whatever, is discernment or the ability to distinguish the correct information, i.e. to separate “the wheat from the chaff.” This requires reading, studying, listening & ultimately … confidence in one’s own salvation. Education of this kind is ongoing and ever changing, as Satan is all about lies and deceit. There will always be a huge amount of theological garbage littering the alleys and minefields we call “the world.” Beware of temptation. You, dear reader, also are obligated to be discerning when evaluating what is good for your faith journey, and what is not.

But more emphatically, this is about personal revelation through the Holy Spirit. These “discoveries” are about knowing through faith that Christ is the Lord, that He died for our sins, and conquered death for us .... that if we only believe we might also be saved with Him for all of time and the timeless time beyond. The interpretation is to know Christ as the one unalterable truth above which there are none; that which is perfect and that which through no merit of our own loves us, defends us and protects us. The great challenge is to understand, in the peculiar way each individual must, that it is about Him and not about us. That all is transitory but Him ... that we must come to a point of personal understanding and humility, knowing that there is nothing if not Jesus Christ: to know that nothing else makes sense or in the final analysis meets our needs but Him. The Bible says so, our hearts are emblazoned with it, but you must believe it, not just read it. It is about gnosis or knowing (ginosko). It is not about analysis or engineered drawings. It is about believing in Him because all else falls short and leaves us cold. We must approach the corner of our decision ... eat His flesh and drink His blood in remembrance ... and turn to Him. Always turn to Him.

#2) (Coptic) 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.]” (5;pg 1)

(Greek) “…seeks not cease until he finds, and when he finds, he shall wonder; wondering he shall reign, and reigning shall rest.” (1;pgs 3 & 4)

14 Until recently I thought that maybe the idea of being disturbed was an archaic and contrived use of the wording in this passage, however, in the Lutheran service I found an interesting connection to this early theology embedded in the Litany for Listening:

Listen, God is calling. Listen, God is calling

May we hear you, O God. May your calling quiet us. May your calling disturb us ... (Zion Lutheran Church service, Sunday 11/14/04, Middletown, Ohio)

This resurfacing of the idea of being disturbed or unsettled obviously is not foreign to the Church today, and was evidently an active and understood aspect of being aware of God’s call in our ministry, both collectively and individually. This theology may, therefore, not be as uncommon or as arcane as it would first appear.

Note the following from The Gospel of the Hebrews preserved in the writings of Clement of Alexandria (late 2nd century or about 185 A.D.)

He that marvels shall reign, and he that has reigned shall rest. And ...

He that seeks will not rest until he finds; and he that has found shall marvel; and he that has marveled shall reign; and he that has reigned shall rest. (17B;pg 335)

Q35 “Ask and it’ll be given to you. Search and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for those who knock, the door is opened.” (14B; pg 69)

Find Strong's Number: G2147 Transliterated: heurisko Phonetic: hyoo-ris'-ko heurisko

Text: a prolonged form of a primary heuro {hyoo'-ro}; is used for it in all the tenses except the present and imperfect; to find (literally or figuratively): --find, get, obtain, perceive, see. To find out for oneself by searching [and thus] discovering.

Old Testament parallels regarding “seeking” can be found in Deuteronomy 4:29 spoken by Moses, “But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and all your soul.” (21B;pg 330)…and in Psalms 63:1 where David raises in praise, “O God, you are my God; Early will I seek you.” 15 (3B;pg 827 )

While God remains steadfast and we tend to waiver in our faith commitment, it is incumbent upon us to persistently seek Him out. Thomas notes that upon seeking, we will find, but that in our discovery of God’s will, we will be disturbed. I do not believe this refers to being disturbed in the sense of being angry, but in the sense of being taken to task or being anxious about what is required of us as disciples… or, wondering at our prospects. As with the wealthy young man who asked what would be required to follow Christ … he was asked to give up his riches. That qualifies as “disturbed” in my opinion, and certainly in regard to the individual, as he walked away unable to make the commitment on the spot: most assuredly wondering.

Matthew 7:7 Jesus implores us by suggesting that we need only, “Ask , and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you.” (3B;pg 1383) Matthew may be an amended version or a later iteration of Christ’s earlier statement for broader consumption. Possibly Thomas’ version may have been directed to the disciples preparing them for what would be opened to them, and what they might expect to experience in a closer relationship with the living Lord, and the travails of such a commission. This is about seeking forgiveness, resting in His mercy and reigning in His grace. It would be a wonder if we were not; are we not disturbed [?]..I suggest that we should be, and be restless until we are at rest in Him.

Luke 11:9-11 “And I say to you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (3B;pg 1481-82)

#3) (Coptic) 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 .” (5;pg 1)

The (Greek) rewords the ‘fish’ issue slightly differently by saying, “If they say to you, ‘It is under the earth, then the fish …,” but the idea is that ALL things are of the Father’s kingdom. (1;pg 4)

AT: ...When you know yourself, then you will be known, and you will know you are the children of the Living Father; but if you do not know yourself, you will live in vain, and you will be vanity. (63B;pg 9)

Or, in similar terms: when you know Whose you are, you will understand that you are a child of God. If you do not come to that conclusion, your life will be in vain and you will embody vanity.

16 Q79 Jesus was asked, “When will the Kingdom of God arrive?” He replied, “You won’t be able to see the Kingdom of God, when it comes. People won’t be able to say ‘it’s here’ or ‘it’s over there.’ “ The Kingdom of God is among you .” (14B;pg 114)

Luke 17:20-21: Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (13B;pg 1380)

Kingdom Strong's Number: G932 Transliterated: basileia Phonetic: bas-il-i'-ah b

Text: from 935; properly, royalty, i.e. (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively): -- kingdom, + reign. Belonging to or suitable for a king. From 935 basileus, from basis; the support.

Here Luke takes what sound like useful tools in the daily life of those in the areas surrounding lakes and fields (fish & birds), and boils it down to things “observed” referring to Himself and the Pharisees’ inability to see the obvious in spite of the evidence … indicating that often blindness is a choice. That blindness was institutionalized when the guards at Jesus’ tomb, who witnessed the resurrection, were paid by the Jewish authorities to deny the fact.

In the King James Version Luke is translated as saying “within” you. The Holman says “among” you. Ultimately the experience is personal and intimate. But being within can refer to a person, a small or large gathering, etc. The Holy Spirit can enter into whatever or whomever it chooses.

Within Strong's Number: G1787 Transliterated: entos Phonetic: en-tos' entos

Text: from 1722; inside (adverb or noun): --within.

Thayer Definition:

17 1) within, inside 1a) within you, i.e. in the midst of you 1b) within you, i.e. your soul Part of Speech: preposition

See Matthew 28:13-15 … they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers saying, “Tell them [the general public & authorities], ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept. And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. (3B;pg 1423)

While some refer to it as “pantheistic,” see GOT #77 which in part says, “Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up a stone and you will find me there.”

Taking the logic a step further, what prevents the Spirit of God from being in, among, amidst, all things animate and inanimate? Where is ther? It is in, under and a part of.

How can we avoid God in His creation. While the painter and his painting are, indeed, separate from one another, there is also the reality that without the one, the other could not exist. The painter’s style is imparted to the painting; the painting has been imbued with the recognizable information that leads one to the author ... it reflects the manner and mode of its creator. Something has been left behind that is unique to the partnering of the artist and the work. Thus it is with God and His creation: while He is separate from it, He has also left His unmistakable stamp on it. Something of Him has been left behind as a result of His energy and directed effort. He left upon it the mark of the cross.

#4) (Coptic) Jesus said, “The old man in days won’t hesitate to ask a little child seven days old about the place of life, and that man will live. For many the first will be last, and will become a single one.” or “…they will become one and the same.” (5;pg 1)

(Greek) is basically the same with a few words similar to Mark “For many that are first will be last, and last first, and they will become a single one.” (1;pg 4)

Mark 9:35-37 And He sat down and called the twelve. And He said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And then He took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in His arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” (11B;pg 1019)

Luke 13:30 “And behold, some are last who will be first and some are first who will be last. (see Mark 10:31 & Matthew 20:16) (13B;pg 1373)

Mark 10:31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” (3B;pg 1443) 18 Matthew 20:16 “Thus, the last shall be first, and the first last .” (13B;pg 1294)

Q65 “ The last will be first and the first will be last.” (14B;pg 99)

Q67 “Those who praise themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be praised.” (14B;pg 101)

They will become one: one in Him as they become servants and are humbled, and forsake those trappings of the world that would constrain them [us].

In otherwords we will all be on level ground at the foot of the cross. There will be no rank as the first will be last , etc. Sin and morality will not be relative positions.

Last Strong's Number: G2078 Transliterated: eschatos Phonetic: es'-khat-os eschatos

Text: a superlative probably from 2192 (in the sense of contiguity); farthest, final (of place or time): --ends of, last, latter end, lowest, utter Primarily with reference to place, the extreme, most remote. With reference to rank or order, generally in a negative or bad sense. Sometimes this denotes a moral lowness.

What happens here is the GOT combining what appear to be separate verses that occur in the Gospels listed above. It is possible that Thomas is the original tradition and was later separated or distributed throughout the above? This would be in contrast to the usual method of combining and embellishing, in those places not necessarily related to embracing the innocence of a child (and in some cases is believed to refer to disciples, as well). In Matthew this passage is situated prior to going into Jerusalem and after the parable of the landowner.

In Matthew19:14 there is a similar statement about children which goes like this … But Jesus said, “Let the children alone, and do not hinder them from coming to me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (13B;pg 1292)

Does this speak to all who would believe as a parable, or metaphor, for a state of mind & spirit to receive Christ? It is after all a simple thing that must be taken on faith and intellectualized later, maybe not at all beyond a point. And, no amount of scrutiny ever seems to make the message any less complex. In fact, the more you probe the more obvious it becomes that it is a paradox that cannot be thought through so much as felt through. One must know it as truth; analysis will not work. If we had faith the size of a mustard seed (real unbending, fully trusting faith) we could do truly miraculous things 19 that because of our unbelief remains inaccessible to us. Recall that when Peter first trusts and walks on the sea in Matthew chapter 14 he is fine ... however the more he tries to wrap his mind around it the more quickly he sinks. So it is with us. As Christ said, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (13B;pg 1285) However one wants to state, or restate it, the message of Christ is to come to the Lord God as a child, innocent, trusting, believing … honest and unpretentious. And the inevitable reminder that “those [many] who are first will be last” should clue us into not only people and their station, but our established priorities being turned upside down. Christ turned everything we feel secure in [the world] upside down. Always remember whose we are.

#5) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you. For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed .” (5:pg 1)

(Greek) This says “revealed” instead of “disclosed” in the first segment; the second segment is more lengthy and goes on to say, “ For there is nothing hidden that will not be made manifest, nor buried which shall not be raised.” (1;pg 4)

Covered Strong's Number: G2572 Transliterated: kalupto Phonetic: kal-oop'-to kalupto

Text: akin to 2813 and 2928; to cover up (literally or figuratively): --cover, hide. To intentionally cover up or remove from sight. Thus hide or bury, cover or set aside from view.

Be Revealed Strong's Number: G601 Transliterated: apokalupto Phonetic: ap-ok-al-oop'-to apokalupyo

Text: from 575 and 2572; to take off the cover, i.e. disclose: --reveal. To remove a veil or covering to open view what was before hidden. To make manifest or reveal a thing previously secret or unknown.

In this original Greek version could Christ actually be setting the stage for His death & resurrection? The obvious reference to death, burial and resurrection is clearly evidenced, but was not understood by the Disciples at that time.

20 Mark 4:22 “For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it should come to light.” (B13;pg 1320)

Q45 “There is nothing covered up now that will not be exposed. Nothing is secret that will not be revealed. Every secret you’ve kept will become known. What you have whispered in hidden places will be shouted from the housetops.” (B14;pg 79)

Matthew 10:26 only makes use of the second segment saying, “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known.” (11B;pg 983) For a different twist note the following from The Book. This is still Matthew 10:26, “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything will be revealed; all that is secret will be made public. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ears, shout from the housetops for all to hear.” (6B;pg 942)

Note verse Matthew 10:32 that ratchets up the idea of public pronouncement of the “new faith” … “ If anyone acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will openly acknowledge that person before my Father in heaven. But if anyone denies me here on earth, I will deny that person before my Father in heaven.” (6B;pg 942)

To acknowledge is from the Greek homologeō to promise or covenant with. But to deny is the converse, and suggests a turning of one’s back and the promises made, i.e. the deal is off. See Q47 below.

I believe that making things “revealed,” etc., is in direct reference to taking the law out of the hands of bureaucrats and handing it over, in the person of Jesus Christ, to Jews and the Gentiles alike. This refers specifically to “a new way of thinking” and therefore acting. There is also a price for doing so implied. The KJV is much the same, but less in a prose vein. The GOT is condensed, abbreviated, and seems more like a statement made briefly in passing reference, while the Synoptics are more of an expanded version that tends to happen over time: embellishment. Unlike the old game of “telephone,” the core of the text does remain intact. More directly:

Q47 “Everyone who acknowledges me in public will be celebrated by the angels.” (B14;pg 81)

All is known, therefore … what will we be known for; what about us is worthy of shouting from the rooftops? Our choice for Christ on this earth will be our most critical choice now and in eternity … and it will be widely known because all things are revealed. Those who know us will know what we are about; what we are made of. Like those who were in the process of stoning the adulterous woman, our secrets will also be revealed. We should be aware of them and prepared to turn from our sins (secrets). Easier said than done. No one, save God, can boast such a thing. We also must drop our

21 stones of judgement and turn away. Leave the judgement to God who is perfect in that dispensation.

#6.) (Coptic) 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 not be disclosed.” (5:pg 1)

(Greek) “… and how [shall we] give alms? …” “… for all things are disclosed before truth. For there is nothing hidden which shall not be shown forth.” (1;pg 4)

A partial Gospel parallel is revealed in Luke 11:1 And it came about that while He was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of the disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.” (13B;pg 1366)

This also follows the line of questioning that both Paul and James were to deal with, i.e. do we follow the prescribed Jewish tradition, and more importantly, can the Gentiles partake if they are not “circumcised”? This has more to do with … Lord, what is the law; you have shown us much that we do not understand; how can we serve all those that you bless, especially the sinners; can a non-Jew be acceptable in our sight? This also seems to paraphrase many of the questions that the Pharisees used to bait Jesus. Since Christ was such a departure from traditional Judaism, and obviously not the savior the Zealots had in mind, it stands to reason that those around Him would want reassurance. Christ responds with His typical mystical approach in that while appearing to be specific, covers a tremendous amount of territory. I think He knew that His followers understood the very letter of the law, but wouldn’t let them walk away that easily. He was noting that rather than exacting the vindication of Old Testament law, he was saying, You know what’s right in your heart; do it! Love those who would seek to harm you.”

Don’t do the things you know to be only for show and to meet the letter of the law which can only condemn you. The authorities and other sinners (or unbelievers) do the same for show and for adulation. We need to confess in private and our God will reward us in private. Does not the one who gets attention by crying out on the corner already have his reward?

See verse #5, and note again the definition of “revealed,” as this verse seems to be a variation, possibly spoken to a different group of listeners, possibly more strict in their Judaic upbringing and culture. Or this may simply be a continuation of the thought process begun [in #5].

But ultimately this is about His followers, no different than those who today, would seek counsel and guidance about the practice of their faith. We all want our teachers to smile upon us, and we seek to emulate them if they are worthy. Christ is the most worthy, and must have been a tremendous role model to observe. Probably, during many of His 22 encounters with adversaries, there was not a sound to be heard with the exception of the occasional gasp as the parables and theological riddles became as clear as spring water to them through the working of the Spirit. This may also have been one root of the stories suggesting the cecessation of blindness or an opening of the eyes, spiritually speaking. This is not to suggest thjat miracles of a physical nature did not occur. It must have been a glorious and frightening time to be a follower of such a radical thinker. Our faith is all about the revealing.

See James 4:17 “To him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” (21B;pg 2256)

Note the Pauline version in Romans 7:15 & 19 which appears to be a source of his introspection, and at least drawing from this genre or tradition. In the Thomas tradition Christ says not to do the things that we hate, or know to be against Him, yet Paul acknowledges that we are sinners and do what we know to be wrong:

For that which I am doing I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil I do not wish. (13B;pg 1494)

There is no lack of harmony here. It is said that the sin we do, that we know to be wrong, will not remain hidden either from us (via our conscience) nor from God who is omniscient and knows our acts before they are manifest.

Practicing Strong's Number: G4238 (Reference here to sinning) Transliterated: prasso Phonetic: pras'-so

prasso

Text: a primary verb; to "practise," i.e. perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from 4160, which properly refers to a single act); Sin is in fact a religious endeavor as it is habitually practiced. Do not confuse with the notion of faith.

Ephesians 5:13 ... in regard to all things known and revealed below the face of heaven, “But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light.” (21B;pg 2131) Or, 4:25-32 Therefore put away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil. … (vs.32)And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. (21B;pg 2130) Note: the underlined also harks back to GOT #5.

23 I find the message clear and unwavering. Jesus was, if nothing else, absolutely consistent in His message. About the hidden & revealed program, a couple of references from the OT …

Isaiah 40:5 And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (21B;pg 1211)

Deuteronomy 29:29 The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. [the Christ?] (21B;pg 375, Note: author’s brackets and question)

All things are revealed under the face of heaven … our nature, and the nature of God. God reveals by choice, we are revealed unwittingly by our flesh, and more importantly by the nature of our spirit. Thomas knew that no thing was hidden from the knowledge of God, the Triune One. The Bible itself is revelation where all things are disclosed, and nothing under heaven is hidden from those who seek [Him]. There is a season for all things under heaven.

#7.) (Coptic) “Jesus said, Blessed is the lion that the human [man] will eat, so that the lion becomes human [a man]. And foul [cursed] is the human [man] that the lion will eat, and the lion still will become human.” or “and the lion still will become a man.” (5;pg 1) Note: author’s brackets.

Another translation appears to question the portion of the last sentence wherein the process of ingestion seems to flip-flop, i.e. “and the [human] shall become [lion]. (10;pg 2)

(Greek) fragmented (1;pg 4)

The Greek varies only in certain verbiage, notably the future tense; the text and context is not essentially altered. But, yes we do become something altered, different when we eat the table of Communion ... and Christ became something different, and in the stench of sin, foul, when He became as one of us. Yet for our sake He did it willingly and without hesitation.

While this is interesting, I would suggest that it is a later addition. It does, however, ask us to dealve into what was on the mind of early Christians who were in the throes of a new faith, in the thick of numerous life & death trials. Paul’s records are some of the best insights into jail time in that era; Josephus would also provide an historical perspective. Maybe this was inserted to add some sort of meaning to the bloody Roman gladitorial rites staged in the Collosium [for sport and entertainment].

Lions in Scripture are mentioned in mixed, that is to say, favorable and unfavorable contexts. In Daniel he was supposed to be devoured by them, and in 1 Peter the lion (Satan) is prowling around the doors of the world’s inhabitants, presumably looking for a fresh kill. However, in a definitive zenith Christ is referred to as “The Lion of Judah,” so 24 the kingly, powerful and respectful references are also absolutely appropriate. Judah, in Genesis 49:9, is called the Lion’s whelp or offspring, again a favorable image as Judah “rises up” as one his brothers shall praise … instead of prey, he “lies down like a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him.” (21B;pg 103)

At first glance there are no apparent parallels in the Gospel. However, in the symbolism, maybe there is more than meets the eye … possibly this is an allegory for Christ becoming human, and despite the Spirit, still wholly “human,” with all the pain and agony He would endure. For all he would do, He would still suffer as a man. For eating of the lion may represent the Lord’s supper from which the human would become “lion” or Christ in partaking of the elements. This easily stands up as a Gnostic text when one views the “lion” as knowledge, i.e. by eating or ingesting one also becomes knowledgeable. Interestingly, Christ [lion] became man, but as a man became vulnerable, or “foul is the [flesh] of the man that the lion will eat, and yet the lion (willingly?) becomes [man].’ Is this possibly a symbolic effort to explain Christ donning the flesh of man, and in becoming man has to contend with the weakness (foul nature) of the flesh?

Is this also not reminiscent of the sacrament of the Eucharist, whereby the one who ingests is filled with the flesh and blood of the Son of Man? By that we do become more than simply human, but certainly not gods.

This following the passage is the one I use when performing the Sacrament of Communion. It is very visual, and implies a level of [carnage, for lack of a better word] that reflects the breaking of the body and giving of His blood on the cross. How much more can we honor our Savior than by consuming Him and being consumed by Him?

Eucharist Strong's Number: G2169 Transliterated: eucharistia Phonetic: yoo-khar-is-tee'-ah eucharistia

Text: from 2170; gratitude; actively, grateful language (to God, as an act of worship): --thankfulness, (giving of) thanks(-giving). This where we obtain the rite of the Eucharist.

John 6:53-58

Then Jesus said to them,

“Most assuredly, I say to you, Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you.

25 Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.

For My flesh is food indeed, and My blood is drink indeed. He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him.

As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me.

This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (21B;pg 1877-78)

A precursor for this eating “of the Word” is given literal properties in Ezekiel when he is commanded to eat a scroll that will give him the power of prophecy, the specific Word of God, to the House of Judah captive in Babylon, “... to them who are stubborn and obstinate children ... for they are a rebellious house.” (13B;pg 1084) Are we no less in need today? For we are also a rebellious lot. The parallels are evident when one looks again at Revelation and the apocalyptic (revealing) vision of John. This is also reminiscent of John the Baptist and Jesus Christ prophesying to the house of David in a captive state under Rome. Notice how the eating of an element provides access to God and His word in a mystical and transcendent state ...

Ezekiel 2:8-10 and 3:1-4 “... Open your mouth, and eat what I am giving you.” Then I looked, behold, a hand was extended to me; and lo, a scroll was in it. When He spread it out before me, it was written on the front and back; and written on it were lamentations, mourning and woe. Then He said to me, “Son of man, eat what you find; eat this scroll, and go, speak to the house of Israel.” So I opened my mouth and He fed me this scroll. And He said to me, “Son of man, feed your stomach, and fill your body with this scroll which I am giving you.” Then I ate it, and it was sweet as honey in my mouth. (13B;pg 1084-85)

And we eat to become, to receive, to bear witness. We give thanks. The word of God is indeed sweet.

#8.) (Coptic) 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.” (5:pg 1)

26 Matthew 13:47-50 There is no Greek, but a direct Gospel expanded adaptation as follows, “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some of every kind, which when it was full, they drew to shore; and they sat down and gathered the good into vessels, but threw the bad away. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked from the just, and cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be a wailing and gnashing of teeth. Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?” (21B;pg 1657)

Fill (to be full ... in other translations it says “was filled” or “was full”) Strong's Number: G4137 Transliterated: pleroo Phonetic: play-ro'-o πληροω

Text: from 4134; to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc.: --accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply. And from this is 4138 Pieroma meaning a fullness, complete or a complete number. Filled, and thus, to be complete … as God intended, no more and no less.

Heaven Strong's Number: G3772 Transliterated: ouranos Phonetic: oo-ran-os' ouranos

Text: perhaps from the same as 3735 (through the idea of elevation); the sky; by extension, heaven (as the abode of God); by implication, happiness, power, eternity; specifically, the Gospel (Christianity): --air, heaven([- ly]), sky.

See GOT #3 where Thomas recalls Jesus’ talks in lesson-form about the sky and the sea with regard to the place of the kingdom.

Thomas’ version is more to the point, as may have been spoken to the disciples, in a direct seaside conversation after a catch. The fishermen would have understood all the implications of such a statement, as the culture would probably have had as many “fish stories” as we have in our own. It goes back to recognizing the obvious, as in the south wind, etc. In this parable, it speaks not to God separating the wheat and the chaff, etc, but of the individual making the appropriate faith decision. It is an obvious choice, 27 however, it is understood that many will choose an armload of “small fish” rather than the one large valuable fish. Choosing between the good and the appearance of good or ... bad. As simple as it gets, and as complicated. It is all about separation now, in the world, and in the end times. Our choice here will be our choice in eternity. Matthew simply makes the connection between the now and the then in the expansion of the verse. Matthew answers the question regarding the results of individual choice. Note the parable of the Pearl of Great Price, and what a few [good fish] did in the parable of the Feeding of Five Thousand.

Ultimately, it winds up back at the obvious and most starkly worded black-and-white- with-no-shades-of-gray of passages such as the one found in Q38 and echoed in Matthew chapter 12 and Luke chapter 11:

“Anyone who is not with me is against me. Whoever does not help me gather scatters.” (14B;pg 72) conversely scattering = not full or to diminish rather than to fill.

#9) (Coptic) 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.” (5;pg 2)

Note the Gospel in Matthew 13:3-8 noted here, and parallels in Mark 4:3-8 and Luke 8:5-8. Then He spoke many things to them in parables, saying: “Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds came and devoured them. Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up they were scorched, and because they had no root they withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” (21B;pg 1655-56)

No conflict in the telling, however, it appears to be more wordy than the GOT. Interestingly, the Synoptics are in harmony even using the “He who has ears, let him hear,” which isn’t used by Thomas here, but is used in #8 and elsewhere. Additionally, in the Synoptics there is another statement Christ makes which sounds a great deal like Thomas’ introduction and #1 which refer to secret words and interpretations of sayings.

See Mark 4:11 in which Christ says “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside get everything in parables.” (13B;pg1319)

So, this is handled in a way that sounds very much like the [Gnostic] mysteries that various authorities consider to be in conflict with the Canon as it was arrived at much later. Granted, there is always the temptation for a self-serving personality (which of us 28 is not) to justify the use of various rites and liturgies to promote personal agendas. Given a little common sense and rational thinking, it makes perfect sense that those who would not believe would be outside the realm of those who “understood such mysteries?” Our natural pride then takes over (Satan tips the balance) and we have potential for mis-use, gloating and arrogance. This does not mean that the original intent and understanding of these mysterious goings-on was off the mark or mis-represented the facts. Note the use, in Mark 14:51&52 where a young man is almost apprehended at the time of Jesus’ arrest in Gethsemane, leaving behind his sheet and running away naked. It is thought by some that this person was in the process of initiation into the faith. Is not baptism a kind of initiation into the faith?

Mystery Strong's Number: G3466 Transliterated: musterion Phonetic: moos-tay'-ree-on musterion

Text: from a derivative of muo (to shut the mouth); a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites): --mystery. In this particular case a spiritual truth couched under an external representation or similitude, and concealed or hidden thereby unless some explanation is given.

Also, in other contexts, denotes secret politico-religious doctrines, but generally something hidden or not fully manifest.

Outside Strong's Number: G1854 Transliterated: exo Phonetic: ex'-o exo

Text: adverb from 1537; out(-side, of doors), literally or figuratively: --away, forth, (with-)out (of, -ward), strange.

And, Matthew does, in fact, go on to have Jesus explain the Sower parable as with the parable of the Wheat and Tares (chaff). This seems typical at this early stage of the research. Mark is almost identical except that his Gospel doesn’t explain the Wheat and Tares parable. Luke is also right in line in the verbiage and explanation of the Sower and the parable of the Revealed Light (instead of the Wheat and Tares). In this passage there is no issue with accuracy, however, I lean toward the shorter version. The disciples would have understood the implications of the parable, especially in the context of the 29 culture and general day to day dialogue with Christ. Some embellishment way have been intended for those Gentiles not as familiar with the shoreline Hebrew culture.

The notion of Revealed Light, as suggested above, sounds very much like the Gnostic mindset that so irritated the early church fathers, and yet there is that personal gnosis, or knowledge, that one must experience to “walk in the Light” or the pure radiance that is the presence of the Father given to the Son. This is supported in Daniel and elsewhere. Moses was, in fact, still glowing with it after he came down from Mount Sinai with the stone tablets. I do not believe this is meant to be figurative or symbolic (however it could also be that).

#10) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I have cast fire upon the world, and look, I’m guarding it until it blazes.” (5:pg 2)

Luke 12:49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled. [But I have a baptism to be baptized, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished].” (21B;pg 1814)

Is this the fire of the Spirit which He cast down on the day of Pentecost? Does He wait patiently to see that one more soul is consumed by the flames of belief? Does He wait for one more child to be baptized into the body? The fiery passion of faith? Is this what Christ waits for? The verse in Luke goes on to espouse further division due to faith choices: divided families. This is completed intact in GOT 16. Were they separate statements or a connected text? It doesn’t seem to have effected the text’s overall accuracy or intended message. Christ states unequivocally that He has come to bring division, not peace. The GOT does not appear to be complete in this particular verse, however, the root is there. From the root the branching out can be established. Does this possibly refer to the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D.70 that effectively forced the dispensing of the Word to the Gentiles? The imagery is consistent with the fire that consumes the unbeliever. This may also hark to the Revelation, and the ensuing destruction after the rapture and tribulation.

#11) (Coptic) 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?] (5;pg 2)

See Matthew 24:35 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (21B;pg 1689)

Matthew is repeated verbatim in Luke 21:33, and then restated to emphasize the staying power of the Word in Luke 16:17, “And it is easier for Heaven and earth to pass away

30 than for one tittle of the law to fail.” (21B;pg 1821) And who is the law? Christ, who is the Word.

Q74 “As long as Heaven and earth endure, not one letter, not a single dot of the Law will disappear.” (B14;pg 109)

While I see the second portion of this passage disconnected, and more relevant to the Gnostic perspective, the initial short statement is very close in intent and purpose, and may have been clipped off or abbreviated from the original statement. “This heaven” which refers to the earthly kingdom, and “the one above it” refer to the heaven we are familiar with. It appears that this is only half of a statement which is either taken out of context or the qualifying portion has been omitted. Otherwise it may have been somehow implicit in the conveyance that “The Word will remain.” See Isaiah 40:8 where the prophet foreshadows the statement with “The grass withers, the flower fades, But the Word of our God stands forever.” (21B;pg 1211) Obviously, in this case Isaiah is the root of the text. It very well could be that Christ added the preface Heaven in lieu of the use of references to vegetation, wishing to emphasize the change in perspective which was His arrival on the scene as The Word made flesh, and the Kingdom that is “within you and outside of you.” Heaven is, after all, a condition and a place of the spirit.

Kingdom after kingdom may come and go, but the Word will remain forever. Is this not what is being said? That the Truth will remain after all else has passed again and again in its cycle. There are constants in mathematics and physics which remain absolute and unchanged regardless of what changes around them ... they are immutable laws ... the language of God. Christ as the Word is the language of God made flesh for us that we might know Him and understand Him. That we might believe. That in our weakness we would not otherwise be able to “wrap our minds around” such an Unknowable power.

Mark 13:30-31 “Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” (21B;pg 1746) In this case a preface has been added to set the stage for the purpose of emphasis, which is on the infinite power and longevity of Christ.

Note the similarity of the bracketed passage to #7 about the Lion and the man. This appears to have been added and has no real connection to the passage at hand. With that in mind, is it not also possible that the Coptic version of Thomas is a re-transcribed version of an older document that was more at length and was condensed for a particular purpose?

#12) (Coptic) The disciples said to Jesus, “We know 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.” (5;pg 2)

31 It would appear that this James “the Just” is the oldest of Jesus’ 4 brothers. This supports historically the same James mentioned in Acts, and the apparent author of the Book of James, who took a leading position in the church of Jerusalem in support of the notion that the message of the Way should be extended to the Gentile world, i.e. the Gentiles who wished to follow Jesus did not have to comply with strict Jewish requirements of diet, circumcision and the like. As Paul said … it was more a case of “circumcision of the spirit” that qualified one for the Kingdom. This was in conflict with Like and others who believed that one had to become Jewish first, as they were and as Christ was. This was the transistion of the first century church from the written law to the Christ as Law, full of grace. This is suggested to be in the time frame of 49 A.D. Now the question … is this hyperbole; does Christ seem to be overstating the case? James 2:26 Is this the same James who said, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”? (21B;pg 2252) While there is no strict corroboration it is not unseemly that Jesus may have made such an overstatement as a means of conferring affection and making a strong point about [future] leadership. This would dovetail into later post- Resurrection leadership, even if it was not apparent at the time, especially to James who initially did not share his brother’s devotion to His particular brand of ministry. It was only after His resurrection and reappearing that he finally caught on. Within 10 years James was a driving force behind the early followers naming Christ as Lord. And because he was well known, it is plausible that he would have needed no other identification but “James” or as he identifies himself in his letter: “bondservant.” With this in mind, the book of James was probably dated before 62 A.D., the year of his death. Suggestions are that it was written as early as the late 40’s, maybe a result of his conversion at Pentacost … which would coincide with the time (aprox. 49 A.D.) that he emerged and was most prominent in the Jerusalem church urging for support of Paul’s application (or lack of) Jewish tradition.

From the preserved writings of Jerome also used by Origen (about 400 A.D.)from The Gospel of the Hebrews...

And when the Lord had given the linen cloth to the servant of the priest, He went to James and appeared to him. For James had sworn that he would not eat bread from that hour in which he had drunk the cup of the Lord until he should see Him risen from among them that sleep. And shortly thereafter the Lord said: “Bring a table and bread!” And immediately it is added: He took the bread, blessed it and brake it and gave it to James the Just and said to him: “My brother eat your bread, for the Son of Man is arisen from among them that sleep.” (17B;pg 335)

From Sproul & Wolgemuth … “James is a Wisdom Book of the New Testament-much like the Psalms and Proverbs-in its style and format. And what makes the book special is that it was written by a man who would have known the Savior in a very intimate way … as only a brother could know.” (8B;pg 326) If we can believe James related the words of Jesus and taught from his very proximity to the Christ as brother and proponent, then why is it so difficult to reckon that Thomas might have “taken notes” or handed down a tradition based on his personal relationship with Jesus?

32 Interestingly, in a glance back at the text, it would seem that at this time the disciples had an inkling that Jesus would be leaving them; probably they couldn’t have imagined how. Christ, as usual, was laying the groundwork for his physical absence.

#13) (Coptic) 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.” (5;pg 2)

Gospel parallels are as follows, asking and answering the question of Jesus true identity. While there were hints and admonitions, none of them would have understood the implications. Thus the stern order in the following …

Mark 8:27-30 And Jesus went on with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He asked His disciples, “Who do the people say that I am?” And they told Him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ” And He strictly charged them to tell no one about Him. (11B;pg 1017-18)

There are other such passages … in John 8:25-26 So they (Pharisees) said to Him, Who are you?” Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been telling you from the beginning.” (11B;pg 1078)

33 Luke 22:70 Then they all said, “Are you the Son of God?” So He said to them, “You rightly say that I am.” (21B;pg 1841)

Luke 23:3 Then Pilate asked Him saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered him and said, “It is as you say.” (21B;pg 1842)

What I see here is the method called “begging the question.” In being questioned, Jesus creates the opportunity to repeat His identity. In the text, and in Mark, Jesus uses the age-old ploy of … if you want something repeated, tell someone not to. It becomes impossible to contain oneself. Christ was a student (and the creator) of the human condition, high drama, and was well aware of cause and effect. With Thomas “holding out” on his friends it is the same thing: In telling the Disciples about things he couldn’t repeat, he (Thomas) guaranteed their unbridled curiosity, and despite the possibility of being devoured by fire from the rocks, probably revealed the secret. This was most likely the nature of Jesus’ true identity of Messiah and Savior.”

#14) (Coptic) 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.

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.

After all, what goes into your mouth will not defile you; rather, it’s what comes out of your mouth that will defile you.” (1;pg 2)

Don’t just give to charity or do charitable works: be charitable. It is about being and believing, not doing for merit. At first glance the opening passage seems to make no sense in the context of what we are usually taught: we tend to believe that good will arise out of good. However, this I believe, is potentially another prophetic warning that the good the disciples attempt to do will probably land them in untenable positions and, for most, eventual martyrdom in the hands of those like Saul of Tarsus. And this response is most likely couched in how the Jewish authorities will view the 1st century followers of The Way ... as a threat. And yet, this bundle of sayings does not appear connected. The 2nd and 3rd statements do more closely follow scripture, while the 1st does not seem to connect. Maybe this was an addition by Gnostic thinkers to embed a statement about orthodox behaviors, and the inevitable outcome of doing rather than seeking to understand. Notice the connection of eating in the 2nd passage with the 3rd and the reassurance that it isn’t what they will feed you that will hurt you, but that which issues from the mouth will do the damage. Possibly the disciples were concerned about the prescribed Jewish diet, and wondered if eating unblessed food from their neighbors would make them unclean. Notice what Christ says to Peter about unwashed hands not being the defiler, but that the mouth is. Compare this to the Torah, and the laws contained for cleanliness. Christ says that most unclean things issue from the mouth, from an unclean heart. Thomas has two concise statements that are further embellished in the scripture, and obviously tie back to Proverbs.

34 Q30 “Whenever you enter someone’s home, let you first words be, ‘Peace to this house!’ If a person who loves peace lives there, they will accept your blessing. If not, your words will come back to you. Stay in this house, taking what food and drink they offer, for the laborer deserves this reward. Do not keep moving from house to house. When you enter a town and the people welcome you, eat the food they provide. Heal the sick who are there. Say to the people of the town, ‘The realm of God is at your door.’” (14B;pg 64)

Matthew 10:11-13 “And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, greet it. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. (11B;pg 982)

Luke 10:5-9 “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. If not, it will return to you. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick in it, and say to them, ‘The Kingdom of God has come near to you.’” (11B;pg 1046)

Proverbs 18:6-8 A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. (11B;pg 651)

Matthew 15:11 And He called the people to Him and said to them,“It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth: this defiles a person.” (11B;pg 989)

Matthew 15:16-20 And He said [to Peter], “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultry, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.” (11B;pg 990)

Q21 “No good tree produces rotten fruit and no bad tree produces good fruit. Each tree is known by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor gather grapes from blackberry brambles. Good people draw from what is good from the treasure of their hearts. Bad people produce what is bad from evil within them. A person’s words flow from what is treasured in the heart.” (14B;pg 54)

Where is your treasure stored?

#15) (Coptic) Jesus said, “When you see the one that was not born of woman, fall on your faces and worship. That one is your Father.” (see GOT #101) (1;pg 2)

35 There is no Greek, nor any noted parallels. However, Thomas is not perpetuating any kind of heresy or misdirection. What if Christ had said, “That one is [of] the Father.” (Author’s wording) That is accurate scripturally and prophetically. How do we know that Jesus did not utter such words as another clue to the disciples in the same way he was apparently fond of saying, “Those who have ears should listen.”? It sort of follows the modern declaration that if it walks, quacks and acts like a duck, it probably is. Remember #5 that echoes, “Know what is in front of your face, and what is hidden from you will be disclosed to you.” (1;pg 1)

See Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (11B;pg 690)

Note the repeat in Matthew 1:20-21 “ … Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” The passage goes on to repeat the prophecy of Isaiah. (11B;pg 973-74)

#16) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Perhaps people think that I have come to bring 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 will three against two and two against three, father against son and son against father, and they will stand alone.” or “ …they shall stand as solitaries.” (Refer back to GOT #10 and forward to #55) (1;pg 2)

There is no Greek, however, other well know references and corollaries abound. For instance …Micah 7:6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household. (21B;pg 1539)

Matthew 10:34-36 “Do not think I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.” (21B;pg 1650)

Luke 12:49-53 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (2B;pg 1683)

Q57 “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace? No, I have come to bring the sword of division. My message will divide father and son, mother and daughter, mother- in-law and daughter-in-law. Those who prefer their father or mother to me are not

36 deserving. Nor are those who prefer their sons and daughters. Unless you carry your own cross and follow me, you are not worthy.” (14B;pg 91)

And who are these folks who will “stand alone” or “stand as solitaries?” Those are the true believers in Christ as Lord: Christians who confess their beliefs with their lips as John suggests. I believe that this has occurred, and will continue to be an issue as The Holy Spirit kindles the fire of Pentecost in the hearts and minds of believers. In fact, as God by definition becomes less defined in an effort to widen the embrace, those who adhere to specific Christ-centered worship will be literally standing alone. It is not politically correct to claim exclusivity in matters of faith, because it is considered eliteist and arrogant. And I am more than confident that the bringing of sword and fire may apply not only to the daily spiritual warfare against Satan described in Ephesians, but also the final alignment against the anti-Christ in John’s Revelation prophecy. Remember, Christ declared war on death and its author, Satan. The original fallen angel will not go quietly into the night, but will wage a counter offensive.

The “Q” source includes the carrying of one’s own cross in this passage, which is not just about the baggage and burdens we carry, but the very real prospect that following Christ might mean experiencing what Christ would endure at the hands of the Romans. While they could not have imagined what the future held, they did have history as a teacher: the Romans had crucified 2000 Jews during a rebellion following Herod the Great’s death in 4 B.C. It was a common practice for the condemned to carry their own cross ... like being given a shovel and told to dig your own grave.

#17) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I will give you what no eye has seen, and what no ear has heard, and what no hand has touched, what has not arisen in the human heart .” or … “what has not risen in the mind of mankind” or … “what has never occurred to the human mind.” (1;pg 3) (10;pg 3) (12;pg 2)

Isaiah 64:4 use of similar wording, but different context … “From of old no one has heard or perceived by the ear, no eye has seen a God besides you, who acts for those who wait for him.” (11B;pg 754)

1 Corinthians 2:9-10 Evidently Paul was harking back to a familiar prophecy in Isaiah when he invoked the OT scripture “But, as it is written, What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him” – these things God has revealed to us through the Holy Spirit.” (11B;pg 1147)

It is worth pondering the alternative notion that Tobias Churtan espouses on pages 51 & 52 in The Gnostics explaining that the word of Paul to the church in Corinth is lifted and placed in the mouth of Christ in this passage of the GOT. Why is there this persistence in assuming that the author lifted passages for the purpose of legitimacy? It is also just as probable that these seeds of truth were known to later authors and placed in their epistles for the sake of being authoritative; by leaning on earlier well-known traditions. Is it too much for us to believe in the perfection of God, that He might wish to perform simultaneous inspiration or even revelation? 37 Matthew 13:13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables, because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” (21B;pg 1656)

Galatians 1:12 “For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation from Jesus Christ,” (2B;pg 1893)

Q33 When Jesus was alone with His disciples, He turned to them and said, “Fortunate are the eyes that see what you are seeing. Many prophets and kings wished to see what you now see and never saw it, longed to hear what you now hear and never heard it.” (14B;pg 67)

Common wording: a common tradition spanning the OT & NT. This is to remind us of the continuing revelation of the person of Christ and the nature of the great “I Am.” When Christ was saying this in the GOT He was speaking of Himself and the new law of Grace & Salvation. He gave us what could never arise in the human heart by itself. It once again lends itself to the fact that we do not do these things ourselves, and strips away the notion that this is a purely Gnostic text bent on revelation through a will of the intellect. There is a resonance here that also occurs in both #5 & 6 that reminds us that it is revelation through Christ, and Christ alone. We are not gods because we know Christ, but that we recognize God in Christ that is essential here. Paul says it well in Galatians … it is not taught but a blessed gift, a result of grace. It can be nothing if not of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

#18) (Coptic) 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. Blessed is the one who stands at the beginning: that one will know the end and not taste death.” (1;pg 3)

Or … “Do you know me?” (Author’s statement)

Revelation 1:8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (21B;pg 2301)

Revelation 22:13 “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” (21B;pg 2337)

Revelation 21:6 And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts.” ((21B;pg 2333)

38 John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. (2B;pg 1713)

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (21B;pg 1883) Note: God also refers to Himself as the great I AM in Exodus 3:14.

Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. (2B;pg 1991)

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; …” (21B;pg 6)

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (21B;pg 2142)

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. (21B;pg 2033)

Luke 20:38 “For He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to Him.” (21B;pg 1832)

So it’s a “riddle me this” kind of response or answer a question with a question. Jesus is asking, in essence, “do you know who I am?” The disciples are attempting to use His insight in much the same way one would use a palm reader or a soothsayer; He tosses it back to them to determine their personal relationship with Him. All of the supporting scripture echoes the same message, and Genesis alone would have clinched it, I think. John spells it out, and was probably aware of the implication of Christ’s inference, especially in that they were familiar with the Torah and the Kabbalah creation stories. The writing was not only on the wall, but embedded in the Torah as Hebrew character code. And … to know Christ is not to die, but to be reborn. The message is clear and unambiguous. If one discovers the beginning (Christ), then one knows the end (salvation and eternal spiritual life). In other words one knows the outcome of grace, which is salvation, which is eternal spiritual life … and “will not taste death.” (see GOT #19) Christ is the Living Water, and whosoever drinks from it will not taste death, or John 7:37-38 …“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” (3B;pg 1523) While somewhat cryptic, Jesus is making reference to His deity and the relationship to God the Father and the Holy Spirit … The Trinity. As well, He also refers to eternity and the full circle of life which culminates in death, and eternal life. The “gnosis” or knowing of this infinity, this Christ, is extremely important to a faith-directed life. Thomas was one who needed to know, and through knowing came to believe, and believe beyond the shadow of a doubt. But, of course, more blessed is he who has not seen and yet believes. The Scriptures answer over and over the question of who is Jesus, and in very succinct terms both in the OT and NT writings. Notice how consistent the answer is. I think the last sentence is extremely transcendent and spiritually directed; blessed

39 assurance, if you will. In some ways this harks to John and his more mystical slant … more spirit, fewer acts.

John 7:29 “I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me.” (13B;pg 1523)

#19) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed is the one who came into being before coming into being. If you become my disciples and pay attention to my sayings, these stones will serve you. 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.” (1;pg 3) Again refer to …

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (21B;pg 1857)

Genesis 3:1 And he [the serpent] said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (21B;pg 11)

Genesis 3:6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. (21B;pg 11)

Revelation 22:2 In the middle of the street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. (3B;pg 1762)

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. (3B;pg 1763)

Luke 19:39-40 And some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to Him, “Teacher rebuke your disciples.” And He answered and said, “I tell you, if these become silent, the stones will cry out.” (13B;pg 1384)

Matthew 17:20 He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (24B;pg 695) Some include verse 21 which says “But this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”

John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.” (24B;pg 763)

This is apparently a combination of scriptural statements folding into the great “I Am” and further revealing the absolute unchanging, unwaivering, universal, cosmological God

40 who is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow … the Alpha & the Omega. See John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” (21B;pg 1883) This speaks of God’s authority and unchanging nature. Consider the outcome if God’s response was like our own … of the moment, rooted in self service, and whimsical. The cosmos would be a disaster, and Einstein discovered that was not at all the case. Order prevailed and prevails! I believe that the creation is available to serve us, and yes, the stones, as well. Very reassuring! The point here is that even the most insignificant can be made significant in the service of the Kingdom. All creation serves the will of God, as noted in the passage from Luke. Ever just kicked stones out of your path because they were a nuisance? Me, too. While I have seen reference to the five trees of Paradise, in mystical and astrological contexts, this also speaks to the unchanging nature of God, and possibly the reassurance of an eternity as promised … if only we make the appropriate choice. All needs will be met. It’s all about choices, as the story of Adam & Eve demonstrated. In the Kaballah there is the Tree of Life, which may be the model for this passage. On this model are 10 attributes (sefirot) that form the basis for the world. Some of these are Wisdom, Understanding, Mercy, Victory, Glory & Judgement.

About continuity, see Exodus 3:14-15, in particular … And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” … “This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations.” (13B;pg 80)

Q46, “Yet not a single little bird is forgotten by God.” Is this evidence of an errant God, a God without a plan? (14B;pg 80)

#20) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 3)

Matthew 17:20 revisited from #19 “… I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed… Nothing will be impossible for you.” (24B;pg 695)

Q78 “Even if your faith is no bigger than a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move!” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (14B;pg 113)

Matthew 13:31-32 Another parable He put forth to them saying, “The Kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all the seeds; but when it is grown it is greaterthan the herbs and becomes a tree so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.” (3B;pg 1394-95)

Luke 13:18-19 Then He said, “What is the kingdom of God like? And to what shall I compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and put in his garden; and it grew and became a large tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” (3B;pg 1487) 41 Q61 “What is the Realm of God like? How can I describe it to you? It is like a tiny mustard seed that someone tosses into the garden. It grows into a tree and birds nest in its branches.” (14B;pg 95)

As explained in the Q text, it was typical for Jewish prophets to compare the Kingdom to the famed cedars of Lebanon, which were used to build the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. So, Jesus probably shocked His audience by comparing it to what farmers considered a scraggly weed. He often used the common to illustrate the uncommon. I am sure his followers felt comforted in that most were not privilaged. As it was with Christ Himself, the Kingdom began with the birth of an infant, vulnerable, unassuming, taking on a suit of flesh, that He might know us and serve us by dying in the only way we could understand ... via the flesh … and then, through His resurrection, showing us that He conquered death, Satan and his legions. Through His death He created the greatest life force ever witnessed … and we all nest in His branches. The Kingdom that began with an individual is truly a marvelous thing.

#21.) (Coptic) 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, 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 with two good ears had better listen!” (5;pg 3)

Matthew 24:42-44 “Watch, therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (3B;pg 1414)

42 Luke 12:39-40 “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (3B;pg 1485)

Mark 4:26-29 And He said, “The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.” (3B;pg 1431)

Q55 “If the owner of the house knows when a thief is coming, he will be on guard and not let anyone break into the house. You too must be prepared – the Son of Man will arrive when you least expect Him.” (14B;pg 89)

Q4 John the Baptist said, “I Baptize you with water, but someone more powerful than me is coming. I am not fit to untie His sandals. He will baptize you with Holy Spirit and fire. His pitchfork is in His hand, ready to thresh the grain. He will gather the wheat into His granary; but He will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.” (14B;pg 37)

Jesus’ answer [whether to Mary or not is open to question, and probably irrelevent, except that it has a female asking an important question to which He responds to disciples’status of waiting and readiness] is essentially that the disciples are prepared to give up worldly or material acquisitions (the fields and their clothes) and are waiting for the Kingdom as if it might present itself at any time. This was more to be positioned for the Second Coming in Matthew, yet the Kingdom was already among them, and I’m not sure they truly realized it. Jesus was speaking about both the current and future condition as though they co-existed. In God’s mind they do, and that may be why Christ appeared to speak in paradoxes. And “knowing” this, so to speak, is critical to interpreting Christ’s message. Maybe that was what Thomas meant all along. In the Q Gospel it is explained that in ancient Jewish culture breaking through a doorway brought bad luck, even to the thief. So the words of Jesus here literally mean breaking through the walls … now that would be a wake up call! This is not a passive experience, but a real life changing event. Be prepared! The last passage underscores the literal approach and what, I believe, is an apocolyptic forwarning … maybe personal in some cases, eventually corporate if we are alive in His time.

#22) (Coptic) 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 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

43 place of an eye, a hand in the place of a hand, a foot in place of a foot, an image in place of an image, then you will enter [the kingdom].” (5:pg 4)

It would seem that while appearances may be, or seem to be, unaltered, the spirit of the flesh will be replaced or transformed into a spirit of God. This would follow the idea that, while we are changed it is a change in the heart. We don’t necessarily look different, speak in a different voice or become something we are not. We are normal people who are transformed … people in the world, but not necessarily of the world. And yet we are [both] as Christ was … man & God. It is the great paradox that can make a simple act of faith a highly complex matter. As the Christ figure in the movie Joshua said. “It is that simple.”

Luke 18:16-17 But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the Kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” (3B; 1495)

Mark 9:43-48 “If you hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched--- where ‘Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’ And if your eyes causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better to enter the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire---where ‘Their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched.’” (3B;pg 1441)

Matthew 18:2-5 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.” (3B;pg 1402)

Q32 At this time, Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, for hiding these things from the wise and the clever and revealing them to the childlike. This is the way you want it. Everything has been put in my hand by my father. No one knows who the son is except the father, and who the father is except the son, and anyone to whom the son chooses to reveal him.” (14B;pg 66)

Isaiah 11:6 …And a little child shall lead them. (21B;pg 1175)

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a gift from the Lord; the fruit of the womb is a reward. (13 B;pg 823)

John 1:12 But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (13B;pg 1397)

44 When we focus on the spiritual and replace the physical (sin-ridden flesh) with a body of the spirit … all is replaced, we are neither male nor female (as Adam was in the Kabbalah … nether male nor female, yet embodying both qualities … once split both halves had residual of the other), then we will be pure and undefiled. Babies are about the closest to this ideal, as they have no preconceived notions, and their hearts are open to the spirit without question or hesitation. They have an abiding faith that makes them vulnerable, yes, but also exceptionally strong in willingness and desire ... where the spirit resides. We will enter as new beings justified in Christ like children. The combination of passages, while seemingly awkward, actually refer to being reborn, I believe. To be reborn is to be a child, and all that was is new. There again this is spiritually speaking.

#23) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I shall choose you, one from a thousand and two from ten thousand, and they will stand as a single one.” (5;pg 4)

But again see John 1:12 ... as though a reiteration, a confirmation, of the outcome of only believing.

John 1:12 But as many received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (13B;pg 1397)

John 3:16b saying, “that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (13B;pg 1401)

That is to say … as the body of Christ … a single one. There are a number of other references to this, such as John 3:16b which again says that not everyone will be aboard, but that those who make the decision will have everlasting life. John is more about the point of entry, so to speak; he makes no bones about it being exclusive, that is to say, it excludes those who do not and will not believe in Him. As it is also said, “No one comes to the Father except through me (paraphrased).” Remember the old hymn whose lyrics go something like this … we are one in the spirit, we are one in the Lord …? The interesting twist is the notion that Christ will choose us rather than the other way around. I don’t know where that comes from unless He would choose us all if the choice were His, yet He knows that the choice ultimately rests with us; and that separates us one in a thousand, two in ten thousand. Revelation says that there will be 144,000 “sealed” from the 12 tribes of Israel in addition to those who will come out of the great tribulation washed in the blood of the Lamb. There again is the paradox of knowing and yet allowing choice. Suffice it to say that we all have the potential, whether we exercise it or not is always the persistent issue. Back in #16 Thomas talks about divisions that will occur and reflects on those who are alone, apart, will be also solitary ones. I think it is fair to say that if you choose Christ, you are not of the mainstream. Christ asks to do what He has already paved the way for (pardon the unintended pun). He would not ask us to do what He has not already experienced, and defied glorious.

#24) (Coptic) His disciples said, “Show us the place where you are, for we must seek it.” 45 He said to them, “Anyone here with two good 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.” (5;pg 4)

Q42 “No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket. They put it on a stand so that everyone can see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear, your entire body fills with light. But if your eye becomes clouded, your body is in darkness. Be careful that your light never fades into darkness.” (14B;pg 76)

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. (3B;pg 885)

Matthew 6:22-23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness.” (3B;pg 1382)

Luke 11:33-36 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.” (3B;pg 1483)

Psalm 18:28 For Thou dost light my lamp; the Lord my God illumines my darkness. (13B;pg 727)

Matthew 5:14 & 16 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.”

“ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven. (13B;pg 1264 & 1265)

Christ shines from all who believe, for He is in us all, and when recognized shines forth like a city on a hill, a lamp set out for all to see. This is not a false pride, but a revealing once again of the wondrous nature of that which resides in us all as potential. Unfortunately, for most it is unrealized potential. Note the use of light as far back as the creation in Genesis. God is a God of light and revelation. Light shows things for what they are, not hidden or dark. If we are darkness, then we do not know our true selves, true potential. Knowing our potential in the light is essential to practicing, not the other way around. works without faith are hollow, and blind faith is to be avoided at all costs. Blind faith leads to actions that are not well thought through; consequences are not considered. It is self-serving and self-edifying. Christ was not of this ilk, and often reminded His disciples and the apostles of the need to know and then act accordingly, judiciously, not walking on water and then remembering where you are and sinking. 46 Walking on the water for a split second isn’t the trick, staying there is. It is always about the process, not an event. Praising and glorifying Christ casts a wonderous light over all things that we do and that we are, even though we fall short of the mark.

#25) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Love your friends like your own soul, protect them like the pupil of your eye.” (5;pg 4)

Now consider how this resonates with all of the scripture that asks us to love and protect neighbors, strangers, enemies, etc. The Gospel of Q says the following about those whom Christ loved, and this is our model and our reward …

Q82 Jesus said to His followers, “You have stayed close to me through all of my trials. You will eat and drink with me in the realm of God.” (14B;pg 118)

Matthew 19:27&28 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (13B;pg 1293)

In Matthew 19:29 if it were not clear enough, He goes on to say that those who gave up so much (relatives, land, etc.) will receive a hundredfold in addition to eternal life. But I think Jesus also meant that if you follow this, then the Kingdom of God would begin to materialize on this plain, because right outcomes follow right behaviors.

Luke 22:28 “But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as my Father bestowed one upon me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (3B;pg 1503)

Proverbs 27:10 Do not forsake your friend or your father’s friend …Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. (13B;pg 869)

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. (13B;pg 857)

Exodus 20:6 …but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. (11B;pg 73)

Matthew 22:39 When asked by the Pharisees which is the great commandment in the law, in an endeavor to snare Him, Jesus replied, “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (11B;pg 998)

Galations 5:14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (11B;pg 1173) This was in an effort by Paul to illustrate how to serve one another, not devour one another. 47 Christ takes the idea of being “neighborly” to an all new level, which is what He was all about. He didn’t merely repeat the law but, but fulfilled it by taking it higher. Instead of not coveting your neighbor’s goods, servants or land or bearing false witness (which is purely legalistic), He speaks of loving your neighbor as you would yourself. That is a new direction out of love, not fear or retribution … the new Law is Christ. You can tell the difference, the tone. Thomas reflects this well in his passage even if there is not a direct parallel. The message is, however, in the same frame of reference.

#26) Jesus said, “You see the sliver in your brother’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 brother’s eye.” (5:pg 4)

(Greek) shows identical wording in the partial second sentence in the passage “… then you will see …” (1;pg 8)

Q20 “Why do you notice the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and not the wooden plank in your own? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take out the sawdust from your eye’ when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Remove the plank from your own eye first; then you will see clearly enough to remove the sawdust from your brother’s eye.” (14B;pg 53)

The Greek word was hypokrites, meaning an actor or orator, and in a derogatory sense, a pretender. (B14;pg53) In otherwords, it was a practicing verses preaching program. I am certain that there was much ado about pretense, as opposed to action. Much of Christ’s venom was directed to those who would act piously, but be truly interested only in social standing as a result of apparent adherance to the law. [God was often used as a club to beat the populace into submission, and probably was helpful in thwarting revolt.] No doubt, the Pharisees took a hit in this area, as they were all about authority and little about humane treatment. I’m also sure He probably had the Sanhedrin (a collection of 70 high ranking Jews) in view, as well. In fact, He makes a similar comment in Luke 11:44 when he says, “ Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (3B;pg 1483) He later says the same to lawyers. #25 & 26 appear to connect in the image of the eye and it’s need for protection from injury, and the all-important idea of seeing … both literally and figuratively. As well, the eye acted as a sort of doorway to the soul by which both darkness and light were evident.

#27) [Jesus said] “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.” (5:pg 4)

(Greek) Nearly identical “Unless you …you shall in no way …of God; and unless … you shall …” (1;pg 8)

48 Matthew 6:16 “And when you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” (11Bpg 978)

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (11B;pg 1141)

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” (11B;pg 1148)

1 John 2:15 Do not love love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (11B;pg 1228)

1 John 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. (3B;pg 1731)

If you do not separate yourself from the world, then you are of the world. It is almost an impossible task; yet we are called to be in the world, but not of the world. Another concept of the paradox of God. I talked with some fellow believers this week, and found, to my consolation, that while we disagreed about semantics, we saw the same Cross, the same Christ, the same Resurrection, and the same Salvation. That was the best reassurance that all was well, and that God was in His sphere. Obviously, if the world is in us, then the Father is not with us because we have decided to serve two (2) masters … greed verses God. But, if we decide to serve Him, then the world is not in us. We are blessed. The Holy Spirit will guide us as helper and holy entity. But it also is said in Matthew that we should not fake it for the purpose of impressing others … that again is hollow and legalistic. And, of course, the world, as with the flesh, will pass away while the spirit will rise and transcend this world. Thomas is talking about recognizing what is holy and embracing it. Render unto the world that which the world requires, but render unto God that which is His. Know the difference.

#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.” (5;pg 4)

This seems to refer to being drunk with the wine of the world, and being focused on self- serving and self-gratifying activities, even with Christ in their midst. This language does not seem to follow the general tone and wording of the balance of Thomas’ transcription. The piece about entering and leaving empty, if standing alone, would be more in line. It sounds as though someone later added or embellished this for personal reasons. Possibly, 49 the reasoning was sound, but not the language … it borders on being too philosophical, i.e intellectual for its own sake. I will, however, attempt to delve into the intended meaning. An excerpt from the Q Gospel does provide a similar take on this message, albeit a rather fatalistic one. It speaks very directly to the human condition; one that is focused so much on the world that it tends to ignore the spiritual. This theme is also picked up in other passages about serving God and money, piling up worldly treasures that will rot, and the ability of the wealthy to get into heaven. This method is one that uses wine and its nature to create a parallel or symbolic relationship between the effects of wine and the effects of the world. We are often “drunk” with its abundance, and yet ignore its temporary nature, and ours as well. Jesus stands among us, and unless we are in distress, we generally ignore Him. Only when we are hung over as a result of our indulgence, or are beaten by the world, do we turn to Him in desperation.

After considering the passage again I underlined the portion that seems to be germane to the message, and is consistent with the body of Christ’s recorded sayings. The last sentence seems to be an afterthought, especially in that it dulls the intent of the passage. Many do not change their ways. This seems to be very generous and less than honest.

Q80 “It will be just like it was in the days of Noah. People ate, drank, got married and went on with their lives right up until the day that Noah climbed aboard the ark. Then the flood came and destroyed them. That’s how it will be when the Son of Man is revealed.” (14B;pg 115)

Again, I have to say that there is a kind of strange optimism in the last sentence of the Thomas passage, basically saying that we will wake up to our nature and seek Him. This does sound like a grain of truth for some twisted up in a Gnostic wrapper, not unlike many today who believe that no matter what we do or how we choose, there will be an awareness before it’s too late. That may be an excuse for an extended hedonistic romp. Some will not get a clue despite a tugging at the heart.

Ephesians 5:18 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit. (13B;pg 1567)

In other words, it is simply a distraction.

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me shall not hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (13B;pg 1407)

From Q79 Jesus was asked, “When will the kingdom of God arrive?” He replied, “… The kingdom of God is among you.” (14B;pg 114)

1 John 2:15 Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (13B;pg 1662)

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. (13B;pg 1397) 50 Psalm 146:8 & 9 The Lord opens the eyes of the blind; ... But He thwarts the way of the wicked. (2B;pg 1008)

#29) (Coptic) 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. Yet I marvel at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty.”

(Greek) [...] poverty.” (1;pg 8)

2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that you through His poverty might become rich. (2B;pg 1882)

Proverbs 13:7 One man considers himself rich, yet has nothing [to keep permanently]; another man considers himself poor, yet has great [and indestructible] riches. (47B;pg 712)

Luke 13:23 “For life is more than food; and the body [more] than clothes.” (47B;pg 1181)

Isaiah 40:6 ...All flesh is frail as grass, and all that makes it attractive (its kindness, its goodwill, its mercy from God, its glory and comliness, however good] is transitory, like the flower of the field. (48B;pg 795)

Possibly this is the reference being made in the last sentence of the passage. “Marveling” at how such wealth could reside in such poverty. The angels may as well marvel at this thing that God loves more than Himself. The doctrine in fact says that He became poor, that we in our poverty might become rich [in spirit] through Him. That is grace in full, that we might become rich through grace, and that He became flesh, or resided in an imperfect [impoverished] state of being. I don’t believe that He marveled so much as he loved and wept for our transgressions against Him. This may be a method of “looking down” on the flesh ... a Gnostic affectation. He looks down, but it is not condescending; it is pure love and kindness. There is nothing quite like it in scripture, however, it does reflect upon 2 Corinthians, or possibly was reinterpreted in light of later revelation. It is interesting that the converse of the passage #29 begs the question, How is it that utter poverty dwells in such wealth, or in spite of such wealth and potential? We must ask ourselves this each day, especially in light of the next passage ... that we might view ourselves as tin “gods.”

Consider 1 Peter 4:1-2 So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us and for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God] ... So that he can no longer spend the rest of his natural life living by [his] human appetites and desires, but [he lives] for what God wills. (48B;pg 1454-55)

51 Our impoverished state is made well [wealthy] in His service. True poverty only exists outside His sphere, and that is a choice we make, to His anguish. And yet our existence being compared to God is portrayed in perspective below in Isaiah ...

Isaiah 40:17 All the nations are as nothing before Him; they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and emptiness [waste, futility and worthlessness]. (48B;pg 795)

#30) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Where there are three gods, they are gods. Where there are two or one, I am with him.”

(Greek) Jesus said, “Where there are [three, they are not] without God, and when there is one alone, [I say,] I am with him.” (1;pg 8)

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.” (2B;pg 1590) See GOT #3 and the connected text.

Q79 ... “The kingdom of God is among you.” (14B;pg 114)

Q30 ... “Say to the people of the town, ‘ The realm of God is at your door.’” (14B;pg 64)

When we are alone, we are not truly alone. That is the message of greatest import: we are not alone even when we feel the most separated from all of the things that we are familiar with. Jesus Christ is always with us in spirit via the Holy Spirit, the Advocate. At the Ascension He gave us that assurance. Even within the Gospel of Thomas He reminds us that if we split wood or lift a stone, He is there at all times and in all places. (See #77) Note, also, that when we see Him referring to us as “gods” it appears to be a reminder that we only the essence of ego which makes us lesser gods, and inflated, false arrogant beings without Him. It is only with Him that we are not alone. This is intentionally a benchmark for us. When we attempt to make our way without Him, the idea of being in control makes us gods, but only in our own eyes. God knows our temptation to be more than we are or deserve. It is only with Christ that we rise above this arrogance and posturing..

#31) (Coptic) Jesus said, “No prophet is welcome in his own village; doctors don’t cure those who know them.”

(Greek) Jesus said, “A prophet is not acceptable in his own country, neither does a physician work cures upon those that know him.” (1;pg 8)

Luke 4:23-24 Then He said, “Probably you will quote me that proverb, ‘Physician heal yourself’ – meaning, ‘Why don’t you do miracles here in your hometown like those you did in Capernaum?’ But the truth is, no prophet is accepted in his hometown.” (6B;pg 1007)

52 John 4:44 He had previously said, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own country.” (6B;pg 1049)

Mark 6:4 But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” (3B;pg 1433)

Matthew 13:57&58 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house.” Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief. (3B;pg 1396)

Q13 “Fortunate are you when people hate you, exclude you, abuse you and denounce you on my account. Celebrate when that day comes and dance for joy – your reward will be great in heaven. Remember that their ancestors treated the prophets this way.” (14B;pg 46)

In keeping with the theme of dealing with suffering and denouncement, see 1 Peter 3:17 which says, For [it is] better to suffer [injustly] for doing right, if that should be God’s will, than to suffer [justly] for doing wrong. (47B;pg 1454)

For another twist on the physician’s theme see Mark 2:17 ... Jesus said, “it is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come for the righteous, but sinners.” (13B;pg 1315)

Apparently, as much as we need the Good News, there is a built-in resistence to the truth. Christ obviously feels that those who know Him are less apt to accept him as Lord. This is strange unless you realize that even his own brother James did not accept Him as the Christ until after His resurrection and re-emergence as a physical being. I suppose that this gets back to the crux of what faith is all about .. believing without a defensible reason to do so.

In addition, it is amazing that with all the irrefutable evidence to support belief in Jesus as Christ, the world continues to reject Him. But, as it often is, those one is closest to tend to view them as possibly too familiar. This is often coupled with a sense of intolerance, disbelief or intimidation. Oddly enough we tend to take seriously those with whom we have had less contact and less experience .. Those we should really question and observe with a jaundiced eye. That may be due to the fact that what we know we either revere or detest; rarely do we sit on the fence when it comes to those we think we know well. We become blind to the ordinary: we embrace it with indifference, predictability, lost expectation, and ultimately contempt. As those among us must either serve us in some nepotistic fashion or be shunned by us. Christ must have experienced this with all the apparent expectation, notwithstanding the idea that when Mary called Him as Yeshua, she was calling “Savior.” That is the Hebrew name we westernize as Jesus.

And, I suspect that as with his brother James He had to deal with a serious lack of respect with regard to who He really was in the eyes of those who knew Him most 53 intimately. They knew Him as a person in the flesh, and could probably not imagine His higher calling, as they were blinded by what they expected, and only what was within their grasp … what they knew within prescribed boundaries. There was probably very little thinking “outside the box” in that rigid traditional culture. Thus, Christ’s unorthodox approach to the orthodox had the outcome we do not find recorded for posterity. I believe that, because of the lack of expectation, as familiarity breeds contempt, the backlash to his ministry was grossly amplified.

#32) (Coptic) Jesus said, “A city built high on a high hill and fortified cannot fall, nor can it be hidden.” (5:pg 5)

(Greek) Jesus said, “A city built on the top of a hill and fortified can neither fall nor be hid.” (1;pg 9)

This passage also resonates with #33 which also talks about not hiding a lamp under a basket. Again, this is all about not hiding Christ, but proclaiming Him King of Kings. Matthew actually transcribes this passage with a reference to light in the same order found in the GOT:

Matthew 5:14 “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (3B;pg 1380)

This also harks back to the Masada fortress that was on a mountain top (a city set on a hill) overlooking the Dead Sea, where the mass suicide of “over 1000” Israelis occurred in 73 A.D. rather than surrender to the Roman authorities. These were Zealots, who took refuge there …a last holdout after the fall of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. It would be another 1900 years before Israel would again become a nation state. This city was originally built by Herod the Great in 4 B.C. as an outpost to detect any Egyptian threat. The leader at Masada was Eleazar Ben Yair, who committed suicide after all others’ lives had been taken. (24;pg 1&2)

I also believe that the passage about the city on a hill also is a metaphor for Jerusalem itself, especially as it is described in its grandeur and power. Cities on hills denote power, authority, and visibility, in addition to a highly defensible position.

Revelation 21:2 Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride for her husband. (3B;pg 1761)

Isaiah 66:10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all you who love her; …” (3B;pg 1072)

Isaiah 65:18&19 For behold, I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing, and her people a joy. I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. (3B;pg 1070)

54 Matthew 4:5 Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, … (3B;pg 1378)

Psalm 2:6 “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.” (3B;pg 777)

Psalm 3:4 I cried to the Lord with my voice, and He heard me from His holy hill. (3B;pg 778)

Zechariah 8:3 I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of Hosts, the Holy mountain. (3B;pg 1358)

#33) (Coptic) Jesus said, “What you will hear in your ear, in the other ear proclaim from the 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 lamp stand so that all who come and go will see its light.”

(Greek) Jesus said, “What you hear with one ear, […] (1;pg 9)

Q42 “ No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel basket. They put it on a stand so that everyone can see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is clear, your entire body fills with light. But if your eye becomes clouded, your body is in darkness. Be careful that your light never fades into darkness.”

Note that lamps in first-century Galilee were small terra-cotta lanterns that burned oil and were often the only source of light inside the windowless houses of the region. (14B;pg 76)

As well, the use of or reference to, lamps was a metaphor for the spirit which is to be kept lit in faith, for to let it go out would mean a very real difficulty in re-lighting it especially in a darkened room. I am also aware that the most trying times are those times when we are busy trying to rekindle the spirit after we have allowed our lamps to go out, and we have become cold for the Kingdom.

Q45 “There is nothing covered up that will not be exposed. Nothing is secret that will not be revealed. Every secret you’ve kept will become known. What you have whispered in hidden places will be shouted from the rooftops.” (14B;pg 79)

Isaiah 42:6 ...And I will appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations, to open blind eyes ... (13B;pg 949)

55 Matthew 10:26&27 “Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.” (3B;pg 1388)

Matthew 5:12 “Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.” (3B;pg 1380)

Matthew 6:22&23 “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness” (3B;pg 1382)

Mark 4:21&22 Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.” (3B;pg 1430)

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (3B;pg 768)

Luke 8:16 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a vessel or puts it under the bed, but sets it on a lampstand, that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light. (3B;pg 1474)

Luke 11:33-36 “No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a secret place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, the whole body will be full of light, as when the bright shining of a lamp gives you light.” (3B;pg 1483)

Luke has Christ explaining this two different times … once to the disciples after the parable of the seeds and the various soils, and to a gathering after casting out demons. I suspect this would indicate the importance of the passage, but Luke also tends to embellish to a greater extent than the others with regard to this message. Possibly this is because, as a physician, the anatomy and the appropriate metaphor is more important to him, just as fishing stories would be of particular interest to fishermen.

It is also noteworthy that when the lamp of the spirit is lit, all things characteristically will be revealed that were formerly hidden in the shadows (“secrets” it says Matthew, Luke and Mark.) ... namely our sin or shortfall. In the glory of God we are even more painfully aware of our “shadows,” but it is the place we must start by submitting to Him in our weakness ... with the prospect of being strengthened in Him. We can never fully illuminate ourselves in the complete and loving way God’s lamp of personal examination

56 can, for through this process it is surely revealed that we can only grow through a relationship with, and dependence upon, Him. It says that secrets will also be revealed to us, and that things whispered to us by the Holy Spirit should be shouted from the rooftops; that those things we discern in the scripture by the Holy Spirit should be spoken in a personal witness (or ministry). This again tells me that God has not quit revealing to us.

Isaiah 10:17 And the light of Israel will become a fire and his Holy One a flame ... (13B;pg 910)

#34) (Coptic) Jesus said, “If a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall in a pit.” (1:pg 9)

Q19 “Can one blind person lead another? Won’t they both fall into a ditch? The student is not superior to the teacher, but if students are well taught they will become like their teacher.” (14B;pg 52)

Luke 6:39&40 And He also spoke a parable to them: “A blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they both not fall into a pit? A pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” (13B;pg 1356)

Matthew 15:14 “Let them alone and disregard them; they are blind guides and teachers. And if a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch.” (47B;pg 1096)

Some use the word “pit” or “hole in the ground” to drive the point home. Could the animal of burden break a leg or a wheel be broken? This may be done to illustrate that spiritual blindness may have greater consequences than being in a ditch; that in a spiritual sense a pit could be an eternity in hell, or the deepest consequence. However. These were real life, day to day lessons, that meant something practical to His audiences. This particular translation means to “fall down.” One could also look at it as “to fail” or “to sin.” On the narrow road to Christ it is difficult to stay out of the ditches without His guidance. Even then we veer off the straight and advisable roadway doing our own will, following our best interests, etc. Yet the wide road of sin is exceptionally wide, with no apparent ditches or consequences until we discover where it ultimately leads. The idea of being on the right path is reiterated, especially in proverbs and Psalms. I suspect that in that time, going by foot or animal, travel was lengthy and one could ill afford to take a wrong turn, lest they have to backtrack, run out of food and water, and/or be attacked by marauding thieves. Again, it is a practical matter to remain on the right path ... the shortest and safest method of getting to one’s destination: eternity with God.

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness and joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever. (2B;pg 887)

57 Matthew 7:13&14 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (2B;pg 1570)

Proverbs 1:15&16 My son, do not walk in the way with them. Keep your feet from their path, for their feet run to evil and they hasten to shed blood. (2B;pg 1020)

Proverbs 4:19 The way of the wicked is darkness; they do not know over what they stumble. (2B;pg 1024)

In essence, those for whom the message was originally intended, they may not have known what they might “fall into” or be “a party to.” It was a cautionary tale to those who would blindly (in faith) follow those who were blind to the will and direction of God. It is always easy to get through a wide gate and to travel a wide road. Satan makes sure of it as he accuses us before God, and tempts us to fall short (sin).

In Matthew 10:24&25 Christ retells the Lukian version with a twist, the additional participants being “slaves and masters” as well as teachers and disciples, and thus reminds us that while we can learn and be as He is in our words and actions, we can never become the Christ (or in this passage, the “Teacher”) It is necessarily humbling to those who might view themselves as gods to begin with: a very human trait ... “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher, and the slave as his master...” (13B;pg 1274)

And, for those who would attempt to gain first place rights in this sphere to illustrate power, wealth, cunning, and prowess we are always to be reminded that “the first would be last.” I can’t help thinking of the three blind mice as I read Thomas’ version ... all holding onto one another, one as blind as the other, and not one of them getting the complete picture because they are each relegated to deducing the nature of what they touch by only the characteristics of the piece they were obliged to “see with their hands.” And yet, what they experienced individually was as real to one as to the other. In some ways we only see that part of the Trinity that we can personally perceive as a result of the Spirit. It is only when we put the individual visions together as a body that our singular perceptions become a collective understanding or a collective reality. That is the beauty of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, and the basis of our faith” personal revelation..

It is all about the path we choose or ... the battle at the fork in the road.

#35) (Coptic) Jesus said, “No one can enter a strong man’s house and take it by force without tying his hands. Then one can loot his house.” (1;pg 9)

Mark 3:27 “But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house. (13B;pg 1316)

58 Matthew 12:29 “Or how can anyone enter the strong man’s house and carry off his property, unless he first binds the strong man? And the he will plunder his house.” (13B;pg 1279)

Luke 11:21&22 “When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own homestead, his possessions are undisturbed; but when someone stronger than he attacks him and overpowers him, he takes away from him all his armor on which he had relied, and distributes his plunder.” (13B;pg 1367)

Q55 “If the owner of a house knows when a thief is coming, he will be on guard and not let anyone break into the house. You too must be prepared–the son of man will arrive when you least expect him.”

Ancient Jews believed that breaking through a doorway brought bad luck, even to a thief. So the words Jesus uses here literally means breaking through thick walls made of mud or clay bricks. (14B;pg 89)

Hence the idea of surprise. Q55 almost can be treated as the second passage to Thomas’ passage. Of course, only when surprised can a strong man be tied up, and his house ransacked. Breaking through the walls would certainly constitute surprise. This also harks back to having your house in order, and being prepared for The Second Coming of The Son of Man. Because, as we have learned, one will be taken and one will be left behind. This might also refer to Satan and the idea that one unprepared, whose house is in disarray would be easier prey. They would be caught looking the other way, so to speak.

A couple of associated verses actually help us understand the direction, or intent, of this statement, especially as it pertains to a house that is protected ... it is one that is undivided and is loyal, i.e. not scattered.. So it is with the “body of Christ” today (the Church). That concept, I’m sure, also had resonance in that culture as “houses” were extended families or tribes. To avoid being usurped or literally wiped out they had to remain pure and act in solidarity. The obvious message would be to Israel or the house of David, especially in light of the ancient Hebrew culture and how it struggled to maintain its identity over the millennia, as it does to this day. This is also found in Mark and Luke.

Matthew 12:25 “Any kingdom divided against itself is laid waste; and any city or house divided against itself shall not stand.” (13B;pg 1278)

Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (13B;pg 1279)

In looking at this from a slightly different angle, on one of many levels as is the nature of Christ’s message to us, it would seem to be a caution not to “be bound” by or to other doctrine, as that would allow Satan to plunder or rob you of what God has stored up for you in eternity. Again, this is not about material goods, but eternal ones

59 There is, apparently another view as this verse is embedded in a passage, that in its context, has Christ being accused of being one with Satan: only one with various demons would have control over their behavior or residence. Note that Thomas has the passage stand alone, as though of import, while Matthew, Mark and Luke make it part of the accusation by certain scribes. In the context of the complete passage, it would mean that the only way one could divide a house is if one has control over the owner, or that the owner is ultimately subservient to a greater power than himself. Christ is not in concert with evil spirits, but has authority over them. Luke certainly elaborates the most and ends with a statement about the man’s fate being even worse, not better, if the work was demonic. Jesus, rather than using an incantation or other mystical rites, simply makes known His authority over them. The assertion by the scribes is an effort to discredit Jesus, demonstrating that He was actually blasphemous (an unforgivable sin) by being in a league of demons, yet attributing that authority to God (10B;pg 271)

Not being of Satan and not glorifying his evil work is prophetically heralded in Isaiah 42:8 “... I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another ...” (21B;pg 1216)

#36) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Do not fret, from morning to evening and evening to morning, about what you are going to wear.”

(Greek) Jesus said, “Do not worry from dawn to dusk and from dusk to dawn about [what food] you [will] eat, [or] what [clothing] you will wear. [You are much] better than the [lilies], which [neither] card nor spin.

And for your part, what [will you wear] when you have no clothing? Who would add to your stature? It is he who will give you clothing.” (1;pg 9)

Q52 “Look at the lilies that grow wild in the fields. They don’t weave clothes for themselves. But I tell you, even King Solomon in all his splendor was not dressed as beautifully as these flowers. If that is how God clothes the grasses, which are green today, and burned in the sun tomorrow, how much more will God provide for you. How little faith you have!” (14B;pg 86)

Q53 “Don’t be blinded by the pursuit of food, clothing and possessions. Stop worrying about these things. Only those who lack spirit and soul pursue them. You have a Father who knows what you need. Set your heart on God and these other things will be given to you.” (14B;pg 87)

Q54 “Don’t pile up your treasures here on earth. They will be destroyed by moths and rust and stolen by thieves ...” (14B;pg 88)

Hosea 14:4&5 I will heal their faithlessness; I will love them freely, for My anger is turned away from [Israel]. I will be like the dew and the night mist to Israel; he shall grow and blossom like the lily and cast forth his roots like [the sturdy evergreens of] Lebanon. (47B;pg 1010) 60 Luke 12:6&7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And yet [not] one of them is forgotten or uncared for in the presence of God. But [even] the very hairs on your head are numbered. Do not be struck with fear or seized with alarm; you are of greater worth than many [flocks] of sparrows.” (47B;pg 1180)

The unabridged version ...

Matthew 6:25-34 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life , what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?”

“So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomom in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?”

“ Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (21B;pg 1636)

This talks about not worrying, but depending on God because we do not have the ability or wherewithal to affect the outcome anyhow. We struggle just to manage the resources of today (and yet we ultimately fail without faith despite our steadfast belief in self determination) God does, however, provide resources that allow us to better manage what we have been given: prayer to precede all endeavors, the strength & knowledge of ourselves and others, and prayers of thanksgiving. That is surely the fuel for life. Work is one thing we can do that is honorable and does help in the attainment of resources. Work, however, is not an end in itself any more than money is. We must keep our priorities straight ... God at the head and all else a distant second, third, etc.

In the Old Testament Psalms it goes ...

Psalm 39:5-7 Indeed, you have made my days as handbreadths, and my age is nothing before you; certainly every man at his best is but vapor. Surely every man walks about like a shadow; surely they busy themselves in vain; he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them. (21B;pg 950)

Trust God because as Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3:1 To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. (21B;pg 1118) 61 Exodus 16:4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Look, I’m going to rain down food from heaven for you. The people can go out each day and pick up as much food as they need for that day ...” (6B;pg 78)

#37) (Coptic) 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 them, then [you will see] the son of the living one and you will not be afraid.”

(Greek) His disciples said to him, “When will you be visible to us, and when shall we behold you?”

He said, “When you strip naked without being ashamed […].” (1;pg 9)

I believe this goes back to an unclouded vision, an innocence, and the idea of faith verses works, or being verses doing. If one is works-based and all about doing, then one is serving another master. Of course, as a result, there will be a blindness to the truth and the reality of that truth. There is no better judge of character than a child who is not jaded by prejudice or adult influence.

Q32 At this time Jesus said, “I thank you, Father, for hiding these things from the wise and clever and revealing them to the childlike…” (14B;pg 66)

Psalm 127:3 Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. (3B;pg 891)

Proverbs 20:11 Even a child is known by his deeds, whether what he does is pure and right. (3B;pg 933)

Isaiah 11:6 … And a little child shall lead them. (3B;pg 991)

Mark 9:36&37 Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.” (3B;pg 1441)

Matthew 18:2-5 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. But whoever causes one of these little ones

62 who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (3B;pg 1402)

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become the children of God. (3B;pg 1510)

Another shift away from tradition in Jewish culture was the reference to, and acceptance of, children. Children, like women, were not often accorded the same social and political rights as men. In effect they were treated as property, and often as a burden, especially if resources were in short supply. Granted, the OT passages reflect children as a heritage, however this affection was generally directed toward male children as they would be warriors, providers, and had elevated status. Isaiah does provide a prophetic glimpse of what Christ would later make absolutely clear. Christ deliberately tells the disciples that they must come to him in faith the way a child would come to a parent … unabashed, uninhibited and unashamed ... fully trusting. The preface to Matthew’s record is a question asked by the disciples, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (3B;pg 1402)

Their surprise would probably been similar to Nicodemus’ when he wondered how one could be born again, and they were blindsided by his non-traditional directive.

Matthew 10:42 “And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” (3B;pg 1389)

This goes back to the disciples vying for a place in heaven beside Christ, and Him surprising them by blessing “the least of them.” This is consistent with Jesus’ statement that the last will be first and the last will be first.

#38) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 9)

This is another version of the rather cryptic message Christ provided the disciples, prior to the crucifixion, in an effort to open their eyes to what would come. From this particular passage it seems that they enjoyed hearing Him “tell the story” over and over as children like to hear a parent read or recite. There is a cadence, a comfort, and a reassurance that is provided in such settings. The disciples were, apparently, no different than the rest of us. It is also pragmatic as it allows for repetition that would embed the oral tradition for later transcribing.

This also, I believe, sets the stage for abiding in faith in the days, years and millennia until the Second Coming. Christ was attempting to brace His followers for what was to come. And, He must have been frustrated at our unwillingness to accept the message. We are asked to walk in faith, abiding by Him, trusting in Him, and it is the most difficult 63 thing to do. There is not a physical person or thing we can literally lay our hands on. Thomas gave us a very clear idea of how hard it would be, when he doubted, when his expectations weren’t met.

Matthew 16:21&22 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to you.” But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (3B;pg 1400)

Matthew 17:17 Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you?” (3B;pg 1401)

Matthew 20:18&19 “Behold we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death, and deliver Him to the Gentiles to mock and to scourge and to crucify. And the third day He will rise again.” (3B;pg 1405-06)

Matthew 26:10-12 But when Jesus was aware of it, He said to them, “Why do you trouble the woman? For she has done a good work for Me. For you have the poor with you always, but Me you do not have always. For pouring this fragrant oil on My body, she did it for My burial.” (3B;pg 1417)

#39) (Coptic) Jesus said, “The Pharisees and the scribes 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.” (1;pg 10)

(Greek) Fragments of similar wording.

Q44 “You who claim to be the most devout are hopeless. You love sitting in the front row of the synagogue and having people bow down to you in public. You are like whitewashed tombs—beautiful on the surface, but filled with death and decay.

Beware of those who load people down with the crushing burden of laws and regulations but do nothing to help them. You have taken away the key of knowledge, but instead of unlocking the door, you have blocked the way for those trying to enter ...” (14B;pg 78)

Luke 11:52 “Woe to you, lawyers (experts in the Mosaic Law)! For you have taken away the key to knowledge; you did not go in yourselves, and you hindered and prevented those who were entering.” (47B;pg 1180)

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless or without fallacy) as doves.” 64 (47B;pg 1087)

Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the lord God had made. (47B;pg 4)

The serpent in Genesis, as noted in the next sentence, is actually Satan. So we are apparently to be more subtle than [Satan] and more innocent than doves. Interesting job description … another paradox. In Matthew, He sends us out like He himself was sent, i.e. as sheep among wolves, to the slaughter. This was probably intended as both literal (in regard to the world) as well as figurative (of the spiritual or metaphysical). Thomas combines both Luke and Matthew, making it more akin to Q in its source pattern, this even though Q also holds only part of the Thomas passage.

Christ seems to be saying that as we deal with the “experts” we will be dealt with by them harshly. This all seems to both prophesy His passion as well as our own (if we also take up the cross and follow Him).

Acts 8:32 (which uses the prophecy of Isaiah 53:7&8) The place in the Scripture which he read was this, “He was lead as a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (3B;pg 1563)

Psalm 55:6 So I said, “Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” (3B;pg 821)

Matthew 3:16 … and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him. (3B;pg 1378)

Matthew 16:13 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (3B;pg 1400)

Note that the keys have been passed from the religious authorities to the followers of Christ as heirs apparent in the faith. This does follow in the transformation of the Judaic belief system. And, as stated below in John, He does not leave us unattended even in the midst of wolves. The wolves were themselves the shepherds in times past. Most of John chapter 10 is dialogue with the scribes and Pharisees about His authority. The image of sheep and shepherd is used over and over to make Him known as the Good Shepherd, the protector.

Another reference, while symbolic, is the tearing of the veil of the Temple, at the crucifixion, which separated men from God. See Luke 23:45 which says Then the sun was darkened and the veil of the Temple was torn in two. (3B;pg 1507) This another way that Shepherd and now be with His sheep, and no worldly authority or edifice can stand between God and His people. The only intercessor is Jesus Christ. Through Him all are found in good favor.

65 John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.” (3B;pg 1529)

#40) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 10)

Matthew 15:13 But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.” (3B;pg 1388)

This is about the issuance of good and bad fruit, or the things that we are known by: actions, words, deeds or lack of them. It is not what one takes in, but what comes out of the mouth that brings us down. What has not been planted of the Spirit will not last. This also seems to be a spin-off of the parable of the sower. Thomas seems to have what sounds more probable, especially since grapes and olives were so often referred to in both Old & New Testaments. The culture literally lived and died by them.

Isaiah 24:13 For thus it will be in the midst of the earth among the peoples, as the shaking of an olive tree, as the gleanings when the grape harvest is over. (13B;pg 925)

Luke 6:44&45 “For each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.”

“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” (13B;pg 1356)

Matthew 13:5&6 “And others fell upon the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, but they had no depth of soil. But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away.” (13B;pg 1281) Mark says the same, and also continues with ...

Mark 4:7 “And other seed fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.” (13B;pg 1319)

Those who are not firmly rooted in their faith will surely be uprooted by Satan, the accuser. It is difficult enough for us, under the most ideal conditions, to be faithful in anything we undergo. And yet, we are commanded to follow Him, be faithful, and yield to the Spirit. Walk in faith, not blindness. Without him we will lose what tenuous shallow rooting we do have. It is only Christ that keeps us from being torn out of our life in Him by the faintest wind, the slightest brushing of the world against us. We feel strong and in control, and yet that is an illusion based in our arrogance. In reality, it is only God’s mercy that prevents the worst possible outcome for believer and those who would not. A depth of blessed soil, even if not the richest topsoil, will sustain a believer ... even one who is flawed. It may have crooked limbs, and questionable roots,

66 but its heart is right with God. It believes in God more than in itself. And that is most critical.

What is the overriding theme? There will be no fruit from the unfaithful or unfruitful. Even a less than perfect fruit can have a wonderful sweetness.

Christ says it best in Mark 4:25 “For whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. (13B;pg 1320)

Another way to rephrase Thomas’ passage is found in

Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23 (in identical language) “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (13B;pg 1279 & 1367))

Clear enough: either you believe or you do not. No fence sitting; no maybes. Thomas’ passage is as graphic leaving no loopholes for the legalists. The way the parables read those who scatter or who are uprooted are Satan, his legion and those unbelievers. That is the context in which these parables were spoken, and The Old Testament is no less explicit.

Hosea 9:16 Ephraim is stricken, their root is dried up, they will bear no fruit. (13B;pg 1184)

Isaiah 5:24 Therefore, as a tongue of fire consumes stubble, and dry grass collapses into the flame, so their root will become like rot and their blossom blow away like dust; for they have rejected the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel. (13B;pg 903)

#41) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Whoever has something in hand will be given more, and whoever has nothing will be deprived of even the little they have.” (1;pg 10)

Matthew 25:29 “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away”. (3B;pg 1416)

Luke 19:26 “For I say to you, that to everyone who has will be given; and from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him” (3B;pg 1497)

This saying is at the conclusion of the Parable of the Talents as it applies to having the spirit and sharing in the kingdom. The use of the word “talent” is intriguing because it is also worth asking what one has done with the gifts or talents that each of us has been blessed with? The idea is that we all have gifts, but they are not truly fulfilled unless we follow Him, and attribute them to the Giver, who is God. To not use, to not believe, is truly a tragedy, and in eternity what little we had (unrealized) as beings of the world will be stripped of us in our choice in the afterlife. Believers will be rewarded handsomely, while nonbelievers will have all things stripped from them, in addition to spending 67 eternity away from the Creator. That is an exponential minus condition, in my estimation. One does not have to be a mathematician to understand the equation. A logical extension of that idea is …

Luke 9:48 “For he who is least among you will be great.” (3B;pg 1478)

Luke 9:25 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost?” (3B;pg 1477)

Job 41:11 Whatever is under the whole heavens is mine. (47B;pg 605)

Psalm 81:12 So I gave them up to their own hearts’ lust and let them go after their own stubborn will, that they might follow their own councils. (47B;pg 658)

Isaiah 40:29 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [making it abound]. (47B;pg 796)

Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the mind, I try the heart, even to give to every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doing. (47B;pg 849)

In the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 3, when a crippled man sees Peter and John about to enter the temple, he asks for a gift, but instead of money, note what is transacted in Acts 3:6 But Peter said, silver and gold I do not have; but what I do have, that I give to you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! (47B;pg 1252)

For what little the cripple had, he was given much in the name of Jesus Christ. The man went about afterward leaping and praising God. Peter reminds the crowd who has gathered, what they did to Jesus, the giver and source of life, and suggests they repent, that they might also receive much. What the consequences will be for ignoring Jesus as Christ is spelled out to the letter in Acts 3:23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to and understand by hearing and heed that Prophet shall be utterly exterminated from among the people. (47B;pg 1253)

This restates the prophecy in Deuteronomy 18 where it is indicated that a “prophet shall be raised up; that those who would not listen shall die. I take this to be a spiritual death, not a physical state.

#42) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Be passersby.” (1;pg 10)

I always took this to mean that we are to be in the world, not of it, or be passersby, not permanent residents. This also seems to denote the temporary nature of our existence; passing by means that we do not stay in this place for any significant period of time. Christ alludes to this in the following passages from Matthew …

Matthew 8:20 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” (3B;pg 1385)

68 Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (3B;pg 1385)

Like term limits for politicians the potential for being entrenched in the various bureaucracies is tempting, if one allows oneself to become dependent. To reiterate what was said above, see the following passages that talk about being not of the world, which means being attached to God through Jesus Christ. This is about priority and attachment to the things that last, where we store up riches, etc. While there are literal meanings, I believe it is predominately spiritual in nature. We are not to be tied down by our possessions or toys. We are to travel lightly, able to go where the wind blows (to paraphrase Bob Dylan).

Matthew 10:9, 10 & 14 “Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.”

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.” (3B;pg 1388)

Matthew 19:21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (3B;pg 1404)

Q29 “Don’t acquire gold, silver or copper. Carry no purse, no knapsack, no sandals. Don’t bring a second tunic or staff. Don’t stop to greet people on the way.” (14B;pg 63)

Q28 “Although the crop is abundant, there are few workers to harvest it, so ask the owner to send more laborers out into the fields. Get going, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (14B;pg 62)

Q54 “Don’t pile up your treasures here on earth … Wherever your treasure is, your heart will also be.” (14B;pg 88)

Q57 “…Unless you carry your own cross and follow me, you are not worthy.” (14B;pg 91)

Luke reflects Matthew as would be the case in reference to the “Q” Source. However, there is an addition that talks about their nomadic lifestyle. Also Luke, as would be expected, refers to physical healing.

Luke 9:6 And departing, they went about from village to village, preaching the Gospel and restoring the afflicted to health everywhere. (47B;pg 1173)

This theme is retold in chapter 10 with a greater similarity to being “passersby.” 69 Luke10: 4 “Carry no purse, no provisions bag, no [change of] sandals; refrain from [retarding your journey by] saluting and wishing anyone well along the way.” (47B;pg 1175)

#43) (Coptic) 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 Jews, for they love the tree but hate its fruit, or they love the fruit but hate the tree,” (1;pg 10)

John 8:25 Then they said to Him, “Who are you anyway?” Jesus replied, “[Why do I even speak to you!] I am exactly what I have been telling you from the first.” (47B;pg 1223)

Matthew 7:16-20 “You will recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit, but the sickly (decaying) tree bears bad fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits)” (47B;pg 1082-83)

Luke 6:43-44 “For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decayed tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush.” (47B;pg 1167)

Interestingly enough, Jesus seems genuinely frustrated at the Disciples’ inability to grasp what He tells them. He seems to be comparing them to Jewish authorities who have not only hard hearts, but hard heads, as well. And He goes on to further compare good and bad yield by talking about attributes of people in Matthew and Luke. We will be recognized by our actions, and unfortunately that doesn’t always bode well for us. The only solace is knowing that we have a forgiving Lord.

#44) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 10)

Mark 3:28&29 “Truly and solemnly I say to you. All sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever abusive and blasphemous things they utter; but whoever speaks abusively against [or maliciously misrepresents] the Holy Spirit can never get forgiveness, but is guilty of [and is the grasp of] an everlasting trespass.” (47B;pg 1126)

70 Matthew 12:32 “And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Spirit, the Holy One, will not be forgiven, either in this world or in the world to come [either in this age or the age to come].” (47B;pg 1091)

Luke 12:10 “And everyone who makes a statement [or speaks a word] against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit [that is, whoever intentionally comes short of the reverence due the Holy Spirit], it will not be forgiven him [for there is no forgiveness]. (47B;pg 1180)

This has been my basis, all along, for contending that the only “mortal sin” was blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, not gambling, drinking, smoking, homosexuality, adultery, theft, suicide, etc. While all of those behaviors may hasten the process, they are not “show stoppers.” They are not good ideas for sin-free living (which itself is an oxymoron) they do not prevent us coming to eternity in the name of Jesus Christ, if we only believe. Actually, the beauty of the love of God, and how He demonstrates strength through weakness, is that he can, and does, use us even in our broken state. Or, the way I look at it … even broken vessels can still carry living water. This is the basis for being forgiving and less judgmental of those who do not measure up to our standards. Anyhow, it is about God’s standard, not ours.

Once again John, in his own rather mystical way, says it best …

John 3:17&18 For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge [to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on] the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him. He who believes in Him [who clings to, trusts in, relies on Him] is not judged [he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation—he incurs no damnation]. But he who does not believe [cleave to, rely on, trust in Him] is judged already [he has already been convicted and has already received his sentence] because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [He is condemned for refusing to let his trust rest in Christ’s name.] (47B;pg 1211)

Q48 “Whoever rejects me before others will be disowned by the angels. Anyone who speaks against the son of man will be forgiven, but there is no forgiveness for those who attack the Holy Spirit.

When you are dragged into court and forced to appear before judges because of your beliefs, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say. The words will come to you from the Holy Spirit when you need them.” (14B;pg 82)

Jesus speaks of the deliverance of believers from death through the gift of eternal life, which will become possible through his death. The “eternal life” in question must not be thought of as some kind of infinite extension of everyday existence. Rather it refers to a new quality of life, begun here and now through faith, which is consummated and fulfilled through resurrection. This eternal life is only made possible through the love of

71 God, which is shown in the astonishing fact that He loves his world so much that His only Son should die for it. (10B;pg 331)

The Holy Spirit is an important connecting link between us and God while Christ is absent from us ... between the resurrection and the second coming. If we deny the legitimacy of that link, that care giver, we deny the gift of God that guides and comforts us.

It is interesting that similar concepts are denoted when we look at the helper God gave Adam (Eve) and the helper He later gave us after Christ’s resurrection (the Holy Spirit).

Is the Holy Spirit the feminine side of God, often referred to as Wisdom?

#45 (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 10)

Matthew 7:16-20 “You will recognize them by their fruits. Do people pick grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every healthy (sound) tree bears good fruit, but the sickly (decaying) tree bears bad fruit. A good (healthy) tree cannot bear bad (worthless) fruit, nor can a bad (diseased) tree bear excellent fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire. Therefore, you will fully know them by their fruits)” (47B;pg 1082-83)

Luke 6:43-45 “For there is no good (healthy) tree that bears decayed (worthless, stale) fruit, nor on the other hand does a decayed tree bear good fruit. For each tree is known and identified by its own fruit; for figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a bramblebush. The upright man out of the good trearure [stored] in his heart produces what is upright (honorable), and the evil man out of the evil storehouse brings forth that which is depraved (wicked); for out of the abundance (overflow) of the heart his mouth speaks ” (47B;pg 1167)

Q2 Crowds came ... to be baptized by John. He said to them, “Brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the impending doom? Produce good fruit. Prove that your hearts have really changed ... Even now the axe is aimed at the roots of the trees, so that any tree that fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.” (14B;pg 35)

Q2 “... His pitchfork is in His hand, ready to thresh the grain. He will gather the wheat into his granary; but He will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.” (14B;pg 37)

This reference to the fire of damnation is echoed in Matthew, and an apocalyptic prophecy by John the Baptist regarding the emergence of Jesus Christ as Son of God and

72 rightful heir to the ministry John had paved the way for. It does talk about doing good out of the goodness of one’s heart, which is a very practical matter as well.

Q21 “No good tree produces rotten fruit and no bad tree produces good fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, nor gather grapes from blackberry brambles. Good people draw what is good from the treasure of their hearts. Bad people produce what is bad from the evil within them. A person’s words flow from what is treasured in the heart.” (14B;pb 54)

John 15:1&2 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresse. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit.” (13B;pg 1423)

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (13B;pg 1423)

John 15:8 “By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” (13B;pg 1423)

#46) (Coptic) 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 kingdom, and will become greater than John.” (1;pg 11)

Christ and His followers have always held John in high esteem, as we have seen in the Gospels, yet it is also stated that, if one believes and comes to Jesus as a child, with childlike faith and openness (innocence) we shall be saved. I think that the hyperbole is intentional to illustrate how we can all be lifted up if we only believe ... “even higher up than John the Baptist.” John and Jesus, according to Scripture recognized one another in the womb, as John leapt in Elizabeth’s womb when she was greeted by Mary in Luke 1:41&44. Again the reference to the openness and correct perception by children of what is right and good before they are blemished by adulthood ... the “apple.”

It should come as no surprise that he often seems to be lifted up as a pre-Christ ... one designated to set the tone for what Christ would perform in His ministry. He was even the first to put the Sadducees and Pharisees on notice by referring to them as a “brood of vipers” in Matthew 3:7. There is no doubt that Jesus Christ held him in the highest esteem, and that He no doubt grieved openly when John was brutally beheaded. Maybe a great part of Jesus’ anger [at times] was a lashing out at the system that took His friend. Even John’s time in the wilderness, when he ate only locusts and honey, and wore a garment of camel hair, was a precursor of Christ’s wilderness experience when He was tempted by Satan. He prophesied by repeating Isaiah, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord.” 73 Matthew 11:11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist, yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (13B;pg 1276)

Luke 7:28 “I say to you, among those born of women, there is no one greater than John, yet he who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (13B;pg 1358)

Matthew 18;14 “Thus it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones perish.” (13B;pg 1290)

Mark 10:15 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” (13B;pg 1330)

Luke 18:17 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.” (13B;pg 1381)

Q4 John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water, but someone more powerful than me is coming. I am not fir untie His sandals.” (14B;pg 37)

Q26 “For John the Baptist came, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is crazy.’

Now the Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Just look at him, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and outcasts.’ But Wisdom is being proven right by all her children.’” (14B;pg 60)

#47) (Coptic) Jesus said, “A person cannot mount two horses or bend two bows.

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.” (1:pg 11)

Or, you cannot do two things at once, and certainly not do them well. This is all about getting our priorities mixed up and the consequences of doing so. I am certain that all of us have attempted to serve two or many masters only to discover ourselves in a wayward condition. That is not the things of this world done in moderation, but those issues of excess that divert our attention from the kingdom. It can be possessions, addictions, power, etc. We are all prone to it, so we need to be aware, and be willing to change direction if need be. As the nation of Israel discovered … falling is easy; getting back up is much more difficult.

74 While we have prided ourselves on “multi-tasking” in our corporate and personal lives it doesn’t bode well for us to attempt it spiritually.

Q73 “No one can serve two masters. You will either hate the first and love the second or treat one with respect and the other with scorn. You cannot serve both God and money.” (14B;pg 108)

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters; for either he will either hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (3B;pg 1382)

Matthew 9:16&17 “But no one puts a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results. Nor do men put new wine into old wine skins; otherwise the wineskins burst, and the wine pours out, and the wineskins are ruined; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins, and both are preserved.” (13B;pg 1273)

Mark 2:21&22 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; otherwise the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear results. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the wine will burst the skins; and the wine is lost, and the skins as well; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins.” (13B;pg 1315)

Luke 5:36-39 And He was also telling them a parable: “No one tears a piece from a new garment and puts in on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise the new wine will burst the skins, and it will be spilled out, and the skins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins.” (13B;pg 1354)

Luke 16:13 “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” (3B;pg 1492)

Matthew 22:21 …and He said to them, “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (3B;pg 1410)

Deuteronomy 6:13&14 “You shall fear only the Lord your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name. You shall not follow other gods, any of the gods of the peoples who surround you.” (13B;pg 249)

Joshua 24:15 “ choose for yourselves today whom you will serve ... but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (13Bpg 325)

It is clear that each day we must again choose what or whom to serve.

In the Old Testament books of Deuteronomy and Joshua we are admonished, and told specifically not to serve another master. Obviously this is stern, and is not a suggestion, 75 but a directive. Christ, on the other hand, appeals to our appreciation for the analogy by giving us an object lesson involving coins, bows and horses, depending on which lesson you prefer. I personally prefer Thomas’ use of the two bows or the horses, as what actually occurs is ... you do neither one justice. You have to put one down and make a choice. Christ has shifted the responsibility from God convincing us to the need of each of us to be about making a personal decision. The ultimate decision is whether or not to serve Christ, which is the most important decision one can make. The rest is actually incidental, and is generally governed by law if you are considering what to give to Caesar. Try not paying the IRS and see how much choice you really have. You can’t govern conscience nor can you legislate morality … at least not on a personal level. What I like about Christ’s lesson is the practicality of it. He brings the decision right down to us; it is not some lofty thing that is unattainable or beyond our understanding.

The lesson on wine and wine skins basically approaches the same issue from another angle. But, it is still about making the correct choice based on the options, and the apparent consequences of doing so. Note that this is repeated almost verbatim in Matthew, Mark & Luke. This would have been hitting particularly close to home in that culture, the fermentation process being very familiar … maybe more so than horses. And, it also illustrates the difficulty of the old and the new mixing. Christ appears to be saying that it is nearly an impossible thing to achieve because of the vastly different characteristics ... such as in the old and new wine, and the appropriate wineskins. The new must match the new and the old will match the old. I guess you can;’t have a new belief and reside in the same old skin ... we must be transformed both inside and outside ... or our behaviors will reflect our salvation.

In addition, another source is a bit more succinct and somewhat broadens the scope:

...what Jesus means is that new ideas aren’t compatible with old practices. In our modern vernacular (okay, maybe not so modern) we might say, “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.” How this applied to the Pharisees, and indeed how it applies to us today, is that Jesus is saying that organized religious structures are reticent to change with the times and that it may be pointless to try and change them. (www.rockinauburn.com)

#48) (Coptic) 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.” (1:pg 11)

Matthew 18:19 “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” (13B;pg 1291)

Matthew 17:20 And He said to them, “Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you shall say to this mountain. ‘Move from here to there.’ and it shall move; and nothing shall be impossible to you.” (13B;pg 1289)

76 Mark 11:23&24 “Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea.’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him. And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your transgressions.” (13B;pg 1333)

Q78 “Even if your faith is no bigger than a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move!’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” (14B;pg 113)

A natural extension of making peace, and having power accordingly, is reflected in the following, for what could be more powerful than having Christ among us?

Matthew 18:20 “For where two or three have gathered together in My name, there I am in their midst.” (13B;pg 1291)

The use of the mustard seed as a metaphor and parable, imbedded in these teachings, appears to be added later for emphasis, but may have, in fact, been used by Christ. It is found elsewhere as an illustration of how something small and insignificant (in appearance) can become something very large and useful to many. I also believe that another statement is being made about faith not being relative any more than sin is. Even a little belief makes one a believer in the same way that a little sin makes one a sinner. Belief is ultimately the strongest of the two when push comes to shove. For, while sin may be a temporary setback, belief is for eternity and will override sin in the person of Jesus Christ ...if we only believe.

Note also that GOT #20 also talks about the mustard seed as does Q61 where the “realm of God” is compared to a mustard seed that falls on the fertile soil and grows to accommodate a large habitat, in this case birds nesting in its branches. This also refers to the notion that faith, even a little faith, which is often all we have, is rewarded, and its impact can be huge. Thus the tiniest seed growing up to be a tree or bush large enough to provide a nesting place for birds ... a place of refuge and protection from the elements and predators.

Like the rest of the Gospels there is quite a bit of interrelated material within the Gospel of Thomas itself, as though Christ may have re-worded his message depending on the audience and the needs of that particular time and place.

Matthew 13:31&32 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field; and this is smaller than all other seeds; but when it is full grown, it is larger than the garden plants, and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches. (13B;pg 1282)

Luke 13:18&19 Therefore He was saying, “What is the kingdom og God like, and to what shall compare it? It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and threw into his

77 own garden; and it grew and it became a tree; and the birds of the air nested in its branches.” (13B;pg 1372)

Luke 8:11 “Now the parable is this: the seed is the word of God.” (13B;pg 1359)

Interestingly, this follows the parable of the sower, but it answers the explicit question surrounding the ultimate question ... about what the kingdom of God is like ... it is not necessarily what one would expect. It is a refuge in the most unlikely place. Isn’t that what our lives are like?

Q61 “What is the realm of God like? How can I describe it to you? It is like a tiny mustard seed that someone tosses into a garden. It grows into a tree and birds nest in its branches.” (14B;pg 95)

Also from the same page in the Gospel of Q is a foot note as follows:

For centuries, Jewish prophets compared the realm of God to the famed cedars of Lebanon, which were used to build the temple of Solomon in Jerusalem. So Jesus is shocking his audience by likening it to a tiny mustard seed, which grew into a scraggly plant that most farmers considered a weed. (14B;pg 95)

Christ, Himself was the “weed” of his time; a growing thing that the authorities would have wanted to uproot and throw in the rubbish heap. But, like the best and most well- established weeds, the root could not be fully extracted ... it always seems to grow back stronger and deeper than ever. Good tidings have come from a most unlikely place, a most unassuming hero.

Psalm 8:4 I will establish your seed forever, and build up your throne for all generations. (13B;pg 788)

Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (13B;pg 879)

Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God.” (13B;pg 1264)

#49) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are alone and chosen, for you will find the kingdom. For you have come from it, and you will return there again.” (1;pg 11)

Q82 Jesus said to His followers, “You have stayed close to me through all My trials. You will eat and drink with Me in the realm of God.” (14B;pg 118)

While the resources show no exact correlation between this saying and established canon, I believe there is ample Scripture that talks to the subject matter. It is all about accepting Christ and excluding the worship of other gods. This often will set us apart ...being 78 “alone and chosen.” In fact this does sum up what it is all about, and Q82, the redaction of Matthew and Luke, provides the ultimate choice and consequence equation. Alone , I believe speaks more to being apart in the reality of choosing. Of course, in that decision- making there is often the feeling of being alone when looking at the priorities of the world. Being alone is not the same as being lonely or dejected. It doesn’t say that we are perfect, but chosen and (intimated that we are) ultimately perfected in Him. In John, the most prevalent message is that we remain close and believe in Him, that through Him we might have salvation and eternal life.

We have come from Him, and it is our mission that we find Him again in this world. That is what Thomas says to me. While there is the concern that the whole Gospel of Thomas is of Gnostic influence, I find it to be very practical in its approach. And, of course there is a knowledge and admission of Christ as Lord that does separate us from those around us. The knowledge or “gnosis” is only a secret if we chose to act is though it is, essentially by ignoring it. The secret is revealed in believing, and the sense of direction that comes from it. It is there for all of us, not unlike an unopened door that ushers us into something glorious. It is a problem for those who would prevent us from taking the chance and opportunity, those who are of the evil kingdom; those who would like to see Christ’s mission fail. Those who are slaves of Satan, those who have been trying to lure and discredit Him since His ministry began.

Matthew 19:28 And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (13B;pg 1293)

Luke 22:28-30 “And you are those who have stood by Me in My trials; and just as My Father has granted Me a kingdom, I grant you that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (13Bpg 1389)

The concept of being “chosen” harks back to Old Testament prophecy regarding Christ as the Chosen One of God, His sacrifice on our behalf; and that heritage appears to have been passed down more certainly than any bishop’s historic episcopate. I believe it is a prophecy for each one of us who choose to believe in Him, Jesus Christ, as Savior. The Lord God delights in that just as though the Father were again receiving the prodigal ... the one lost sheep.

Isaiah 42:1 “Behold my servant whom I uphold; My chosen one, in whom my soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nation.” (13B;pg 948)

Colossians 3:12 And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility and patience ... (13B;pg 1582)

79 1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ... (13B;pg 1646)

In some ways also, this does speak to the fact that being “chosen” also has its price; both in this sphere and the one to come. By that I refer to GOT #16 which says in part, “...there will be three against two and two against three, father against son and son against father, and they will stand alone.” (1:pg 2)

Those who are chosen will be set apart, or stand alone. Ask anyone who proclaims Christ as Lord ... there is a price to be paid ... but even more important is that Christ stood alone, Redeemer for our sins, and Hung on the cross, apart from His Father in a time of great agony, alone to atone for us. We will be chosen and set apart from the world. That makes us presentable for eternity. Choices have consequences. There is a vast difference between be alone and being lonely.

#50) (Coptic) 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.’” (1;pg 11)

That is a lot to take in, but really not very different, when taken in bites, than what we read in John or in Genesis, for that matter. God the Father is still the Great Mystery from which all comes and all returns. He is the faith, the light, that should not be hidden under a bushel.

Genesis 1:2 And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (21B;pg 5)

Genesis 1:3&4 Then God said, “Let there be light;” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good ... (13B;pg 1)

Luke 16:8 “... For the sons of the world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.” (21B;pg 1821)

Light (5457) in this case has two meanings, the first Phos means to shine or make manifest; the other more general Phao meaning to be luminous in its widest application. (13B;pg 77 Greek dictionary)

John 12:35&36 Then Jesus said to them, “A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light.” (21B;pg 1894)

This statement is reiterated under different circumstances in the Gospel of Peter (a text excluded from the canon) that describes the darkness that occurred when Christ died on 80 the cross ...GOP vs 5 And many went about without lamps, supposing that it was night, and fell down. (16B;pg 284)

Genesis 1:26 The God said, “Let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness ...” (13B;pg 2)

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light ... (13B;pg 1646)

Genesis 2:2 And by the seventh day God completed His work which he had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. (13B;pg 3)

We represent God’s greatest work: His creation. We are from the light; we are a result of God’s motion and rest; We are His evidence. If you do not believe that, then the burden lies with you to prove it a falsehood. As I have said, “Denial doesn’t alter the truth; it alters you.” All of creation is speaks of Him ... the Great I AM.

Matthew 18:4 “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (21B;pg 1671)

Q26 “For John the Baptist came, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you said, ‘He is crazy.’

Now the Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Just look at him, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and outcasts.’ But Wisdom is being proven right by all her children.’” (14B;pg 60)

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (13B;pg 1857)

While this all sounds very mysterious, and could easily be mistaken for Gnostic secrecy for its own sake and the sake of the initiated, what about this great mystery spoken of by John in the first verse of his scripture? Nothing sounds more beyond my personal ability to comprehend than this one statement about the mysterious relationship between the Father and the Word (Jesus Christ). The beginning of the integration, yet distinct separateness, of what would be later referred to as the “Trinity.” If the Word is in us, then we are truly one with the Father, are we not? If we believe how could the Word not permeate us?

The first sentence, which asks the question, “Where have you come from?” is essentially what we all ask ourselves, and what all Christians seek to answer when they come to a crossroads of faith, and must make specific choices about whom to serve. If we come from the Father, and are redeemed through the actions of His only begotten Son, Jesus the Christ, then the answer is ... “We come from the Light, the Great I AM, the Father, Lord of Hosts.” We come from the Father (referred to as God for lack of a better 81 description as that is not His name ...YHWH is closer in Hebrew) and through Jesus Christ we return to Him in eternity. This set of questions and answers is not as convoluted or esoteric as it may seem when it is answered a question at a time. We need to view our journey as a closed loop predicated on belief and redemption, not by our own effort or devices, but because of the mechanism of salvation through Jesus’ death on the cross ... that we might live (forever).

Maybe a better question might be ... “Where are you going, into the Light or into the darkness?” Also see GOT #77 “I am the light that is over all things” (1:pg 15)

2 Peter 1:19 And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. (13B;pg 1656)

Isaiah 45:6&7 That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord and there is no other. The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I Am the Lord who does all these. (13B;pg 955)

#51) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 11&12)

Q59 “When you see clouds in the western sky, you say, ‘It’s going to rain.’ And it does! When the wind blows from the south, you predict scorching weather. And it comes! You know the lay of the land and can read the face of the sky. So why can’t you interpret the here and now?” (14B;pg 93)

Q79 Jesus was asked, “When will the kingdom of God arrive?” He replied, “You won’t be able to see the kingdom of God when it comes. People won’t be able to say, ‘it’s here’ or ‘it’s over there.’ The kingdom of God is among you.” (14B;pg 114)

See the most well known passage found in GOT #30 & 77, “Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there.” (1;pg16)

What are we waiting for? That seems to be the question we are being lead to ask. And, while the Revelation of John is compelling, it does not satisfy our needs on a day-to-day basis unless you are one of those types that is so apocalyptic by nature that waiting for “the day” is an obsession. It is worth the reckoning, but should not take the place of daily living in Christ. That means a full life, by the way. The Thomas Gospel makes such a strong statement for finding God in all things ... how could it be otherwise. It all flows from Him, so all things are inherently infused with God, the Son and the Spirit. Split the wood; lift a stone: you will find Him there just as certainly as you will find Him in a sunset or a rose, or the face of a friend. God is all things. 82 John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (13B;pg 1400)

Interestingly, this passage appears to speak to having one’s eyes opened, spiritually speaking, and then being able to “see” the kingdom of God in the here and now. As it was spoken to Nicodemus in his night time rendevous, it does not seem to indicate that one would have to die, or wait for a cataclysm to occur. It is a practical approach to daily living, and as such, I believe this refers to the ability to see one’s life in a different aspect ... to be able to see the kingdom as it exists around us and within us. In this case, I believe it means an awareness of Christ as Savior, and a distinct awareness of other believers as brothers and sisters. Our spiritual eyes are blind to the creation, and the infusion of God in it, until we truly know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Knowing in this way (our revered gnosis) is a very personal revealing based on acceptance of Christ as personal Savior. Truly, you either have it or you don’t; you either understand it or you don’t. All of the articulation in the world won’t take the place of a personal relationship with Jesus. Attesting to this is not dissimilar to being able to vouch for a friendship. You know it if you’ve got it. It is that personal. Continuing that relationship, and deepening it, requires prayer, discernment of the Spirit, worship, communion with the faithful, and study of the Word. That elusive discernment will be your guide. John says that the Holy Spirit will be our comforter and teacher, helper and guide. See John 14:16. James 2:5 ...did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (13B;pg 1638)

Psalms 145:13 Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Thy dominion endures throughout all generations. (13B;pg 833)

Matthew 6:10 “ ...Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven...” (13B;pg 1267)

In chapter 10 of Mark there are numerous references to the kingdom, and who may enter it, as well as how. My favorite is in Mark 10:15 &16 “Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.” And He took them in His arms and began blessing them, laying His hand upon them. (13B;pg 1330)

This was happening in real time. He was blessing them on the spot. That can only mean that there was no waiting period. Acceptance ushers in the kingdom in this life and extends into and throughout eternity. KINGDOM or basileia (#932) by definition the spiritual kingdom in which one reigns that resides in the heart and is extended to the eternal kingdom which one enters into upon death of the flesh. One appears to beget the other, but both originate from belief in Jesus Christ. This root is probably where the Thomasonian concept of “reigning over all” in GOT #2 is derived from, and later used by other Gospel writers, especially Matthew. Also referred to as the “kingdom of God” (basileia tou Theou) as noted in Mark above. (13B;pg 1815)

83 See the following from GOT #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.” (5;pg 1)

There again, it is as though the passage was doubling back on itself as a sort of internal documentation or self verification. The canonical Gospels do the same thing among themselves and within each Gospel. It appears that it serves to restate important material, and may have been directed to diverse gatherings ... some more learned, and others less so. In a pun or sorts ... Christ left no stone unturned. Christ also mingles the texts in Mark whereby He and the kingdom are used interchangeably ... this would serve to make the point that through Him one comes to God’s kingdom. The two cannot be separated as they are both extensions of God in the Trinity ... therefore they are one in the same way the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are three in one.

Luke 17:20-21 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (13B;pg 1380)

Mark 10:30 “... but that he shall receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sister and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life.” (13B;pg 1331)

There it is ... now and later. The kingdom is now and in eternity, for as it says in Mark 10:27 Looking upon them (the Disciples), Jesus said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.” (13B;pg 1331)

John 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (3B;pg 1513) This is about seeing with new eyes ... the eyes of the spirit. The following language in GOT #52 restates the fact that we do not often recognize the One who is in our midst. Mary Magdalene, and the others at the tomb, did not recognize Him, nor did the disciples (one being Cleopas) on the road to Emmaus. It is about believing, and through it being able to see Christ for who He is. It is about believing that He lives and did not remain in the tomb. It is believing that He is who he says He is ...the Word, the doorway to God, our risen Savior ... and that He did die for our sins that we might be made pure and righteous in God’s sight through His blood. The reason He was on that cross was not because of Judas or Pilate or Caiaphas ... but because of you and me ...because of our sin. But He rose ... that you must believe or the rest is just story telling.

#52 (Coptic) His disciples said to Him, “Twenty-four prophets have spoken in Israel, and they all spoke of you.”

84 He said to them, “You have disregarded the living one who is in your presence, and have spoken of the dead.” (1;pg 12)

This is also another way of saying the same thing in GOT #51, but with a different slant. Certainly directed to those with a Hebrew backgound and a learning in the OT Scripture. This would not have, I think, been directed to Gentiles, as they would not have appreciated His insistence on the “here and now.” While he is not disregarding the past nor the prophets, He makes it clear that He is treating it in the same manner as He treated the law ... that it was for its time, but with the advent of His reign, it is not the central theme. It is about Jesus Christ here and now. The kingdom is inside of us, among us and surrounding us.

Q79 Jesus was asked, “When will the kingdom of God arrive?” He replied, “You won’t be able to see the kingdom of God when it comes. People won’t be able to say, ‘it’s here’ or ‘it’s over there.’ The kingdom of God is among you.” (14B;pg 114)

Psalm 31:12 I am forgotten as a dead man, out of mind, I am like a broken vessel. (13B;pg 738)

Psalm 115:17 The dead do not praise the Lord ... (13B;pg 811)

Revelation 1:17&18 “Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, and the living One; and I was dead, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades.” (13B;pg 1673)

John 2:19 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” (3B;pg 1512-13)

This is about a living Savior, not a dead one that stays in the ground (so to speak)

Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said to him, “Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” (3:pg 1385)

Luke 9:60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” (3B;pg 1479)

Luke 20:38 “For He is not the God of the dead but of the living, for all live to Him.” (3B;pg 1500)

Mark 12:27 “He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living.” (3B;pg 1447)

Luke 24:46 Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day ...” (40B;pg 1753)

85 Matthew 22:32 “God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.” (40B;pg 1617)

John 6:58 “As the living Father sent Me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me. This is the bread which came down from heaven – not as your fathers ate the manna, and are dead. He who eats this bread will live forever.” (40B;pg 1773)

John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.” (40B;pg 1786)

Christ is about life and living more abundantly in the spirit, and in the confines of a material world. There is suffering, but that is not what Christ is about ... He is about being raised from the dead-ness of the world. Christ is life itself. Even He did not relish death, but did it that we might live now and in eternity. The kingdom is in the here and now, and the later days of our eternal rest in Him. What Thomas has captured is a Christ full of life wishing it for all, but conferring it upon those who would only believe in Him. That’s really not so mysterious ... certainly a lot less mysterious than a rabbit that lays eggs or a fats man with a beard giving the world’s children personalized presents in a single winter’s evening.

This is about joy, not mourning!

#53 (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 12)

In otherwords, what resides at a spiritual level is enough. If not, we fall back into adherance to laws, and outward acts of piety ... which, as Paul was concerned, become an opportunity to boast. Even Christ said that those who pray aloud in public to demonstrate their religious nature have already received their reward. That reward is not the one found in heaven, or in the kingdom. And, this is about spiritual profitability, not material. While we are often blessed in this life, we should not “expect” to be blessed with material gain. That alone folds us back into the world, and suggests that we can rely on our own prowess, even badgering God through prayer for what we think we need.. God provides us what we need ... and I believe that in His mercy he also provides believers with what they occasionally want. I would not suggest counting on it like one depends on a 401K. We’ve seen the disastrous results of that kind of investment program in the last couple of years since 9/11. Pray for His will, and that will suffice with the additional measure of managing our resources and taking advantage of the opportunities He sets before us.

With regard to outward appearances ...

86 Matthew 6:16 “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.” (40B;pg 1586)

About circumcision specifically ...

Genesis 17:11 And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. (13B;pg24)

Deuteronomy 30:6 Moreover, the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the Lord your God with all your soul, in order that you may live. (13B;pg 281)

1 Corinthians 7:19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but what matters is the keeping of the commandments of God. (13B;pg 1515)

Romans 3;1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the benefit of circumcision? (13B;pg 1488) This is predicated on 2:26 as follows ...

Romans 2:26 If therefore the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the Law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? (13B;pg 1488)

Galatians 2:6&7 But from those who were of high reputation (what they were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)– well, those who were of reputation contributed nothing to me. But on the contrary, seeing that I has been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been to the circumcised ... (13B;pg 1551)

Colossians 2:11 ...and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ ... (13B;pg 1580)

This is all about the significant differences between living under the Law, and living under Christ. Colossians 2:11 makes it about as clear as it can be ... “the circumcision of Christ.” It is about the covenant of belief in Him and the other side of that coin ... a covenant which is about the blessings that follow yielding to His will. In John chapter 3 and elsewhere it talks about belief in Christ as the Word and the Law incarnate. We have moved beyond simple adherence to commandments and statutes into submitting to a Christ-likeness. It does not say we must be perfect, but that we are willing and therefore perfected in Him.

Circumcision has practical health benefits, but is also another form of identification with the Jewish culture ... a form of abiding in the Law. It is an outward display which may or may not reveal the nature of one’s heart. It is less about one’s culture and more about Christ as Savior. One does not profit under the Law, for we cannot measure up to it, and it is therefore unprofitable. As noted below, the Law belongs to the world and to those who would be served by it: 87 Colossians 2:17 ...but the substance belongs to Christ. (13B;pg 1581)

In the truest sense, in the broadest concept of the mystery that is our God, it is only through the Spirit that we truly have access to the substance that is Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is the substance of Christ visited upon us.

#54 (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor, for to you belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (1;pg 12)

Matthew 5:3 “ Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” This is from the Sermon on the Mount and consists of nine like verses (3-11) regarding blessings for those whose heart is with Christ. This appears not to speak about spirituality, but to a state of dwelling or being, possibly an emotional state such as saying one’s spirits are down, or simply one is “down.” A mood or condition not linked necessarily to spirituality in a faith sense. Christ offers the hope of a better life; of course the downtrodden would be inspired by the prospect. This speaks to those who need lifted up both in the here and now, and in eternity. To those in need, it would be a great attraction, however, I often wonder how many were disappointed that the result was not necessarily an immediate release from the world’s chains. Could this have been a downside that may have helped create what occurred at Passover when the angry mob voiced their anger and disenchantment. We know that many expected a worldly king who would overthrow the chains of Roman rule.

Poor or Ptochos (#4434) In this case, poor means “one who in abjectness needs lifting up,” not one who is devoid of a spiritual life. It does not hold the same connotation as consciously turning away from or spurning God’s love.

Luke 6:20 And turning His gaze on His disciples, He began to say, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.” (13B;pg 1355)

Q9 Fixing His eyes on the disciples He began to speak, “Fortunate are you who are poor, for yours is the realm of God.” (14B;pg 42)

Q10, 11 & 12 continue what we call the beatitudes in a slightly more common, less stilted language: more conversational than liturgical. There is rarely found more hope in the Bible than in Jesus’ words from the Mount, especially for those who felt hopeless and helpless, without the means to please God and, more specifically the temple priests, with costly offerings.

Mark 14:7 “For the poor you will always have with you, and whenever you wish, you can do them good; but you do not always have Me.” (13B;pg 1337)

James 2:5 Listen my beloved brethren; did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? (13B;pg 1638) 88 Matthew 6:20&21 “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven ... for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (13B;pg 1268)

Luke 21:3 ...and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings for God, but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had.” (21B;pg 1834)

A “mite” is a small coin (maybe a comparison would be a penny or a nickel) but what it probably represents is the very least one could give ... and yet, it was all this widow had. In that she gave all that she had, it was far more valuable than the small (in proportion) amount given by those who had much more discretionary income ... those who were much more “solvent.”

We must set our sites on God and the kingdom, that which is among us and that which will be. Even the poorest among us materially can lay up this treasure in heaven. That heaven also resides in the hearts of believers. God provides the soil and the seed, the Holy Spirit provides the care and nurturing if only we are willing to believe. We are that soil, and the Word is the seed.

We are the poorest of the poor without Christ, the living Word, the giver of Life.

#55) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Whoever does not hate his 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.” (1B;pg 12)

Note the tie-back to GOT #16. (Coptic) Jesus said, “Perhaps people think that I have come to bring 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 will three against two and two against three, father against son and son against father, and they will stand alone.” (1:pg 2)

Matthew 10:34-38 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man’s enemies will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me.” (21B;pg 1650)

Luke 14:26&27 And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.” (21B;pg 1818)

89 Q57 “Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace? No, I have come to bring the sword of division. My message will divide father and son, mother and daughter, mother- in-law and daughter-in-law. Those who prefer their father or mother to me are not deserving. Nor are those who prefer their sons and daughters. Unless you carry your own cross and follow me, you are not worthy.” (14B;pg 91)

It was common practice, as we know of Christ’s agonizing walk to Golgotha, for the condemned person to carry his own cross to the place of crucifixion ... so the message is heavy with appreciation for what it meant to follow Christ in those perilous times.

Rather than being mean or cruel, Christ, I believe, was emphasizing how critical it is for one who believes to put that belief in Christ first in their lives, and all else a distant second, third, etc.. It is so easy to be sidetracked and to put only a meager effort forth when there are so many temptations and so many are competing for what little time we have. Christ wants our full attention; He demands nothing less. We are more often than not, just like the rich man who could not bear to give up his wealth even though he desperately wanted to be a follower of Jesus. He went away heartbroken. We can only hope that he found his way back. Are we finding our way back

More importantly, this is about decision making. It is also a willingness to accept the consequences of that decision making. Often a stand for Christ precludes a need for separation ... that can often have such an effect. Christians are often viewed as being exclusive, judgmental and uptight. So, the separation may come before they are rejected; in a decision for belief in Jesus as Christ and Savior. I think GOT#16 more accurately reflects the reality of the situation ... GOT#55 reminds me of something said out of frustration or disappointment. But, the idea of accepting the weight of our own cross is something we should not ignore. Not that we would be crucified, as He accomplished that, but that we accept the “burden” of following Him. That may mean giving up certain ways and habits or adding practices like service to our faith walk.

Micah 7:6 For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in- law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household. (21B;pg 1539)

Luke 12:49-53 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth; and how I wish it were already kindled! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you no, but rather division; for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (2B;pg 1683)

So, there is an Old Testament reference in Micah, and the other reference in Luke chapter 12 in the Parable of the Faithful Steward. In Luke chapter 14 the message is embedded in the lesson about the costs of discipleship. Decision making has had significant 90 consequences and personal impact for as long as we have been looking toward the Lord our God and away from other pagan worship ... it is as old as Genesis, and as recent as New Age fascination with crystals, Wicca and pyramid healing. God does not change in His love for us nor His patient waiting; however, either has the adversary, Satan, changed ... he also waits for us in our temptation and pettiness, and our arrogance.

#56) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 12)

While this does sound a bit unlike the words of our Lord, there is a kind of crude recognition of the facts that this may well have spoken to. Maybe this was the message given to certain types who would understand it; and maybe there was a frustration out of which this was launched as a sort of, “Now do you understand?” kind of admonishment. Admittedly, it does not fit well and could be discarded with GOT#7. Yet, it is also reminiscent of the idea of seeing something for what it is. Or, “Don’t you recognize a carcass when you see one?” Harking back to the Old Testament Law, it is well known that a carcass is unclean and should be avoided at all costs. So there is this association with ritual cleaning and ancient hygiene. As well, this might well have been referring to the “carcass” of the religion, the Temple Priesthood, of that time ... an unclean and damaging institution which was unclean and no better than a rotting body. Could not some religious institutions of today be categorized as such?

The world was certainly not worthy of Christ.

Leviticus 11:39&40 Also if one of the animals dies which you have for food, the one who touches its carcass becomes unclean until evening. He too, who eats some of its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening; and the one who picks up its carcass shall wash his clothes and be unclean until evening. (13B;pg 150)

Matthew 24:28 “For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.” (40B;pg 1622)

This passage in Matthew may, in fact, refer directly to the GOT version as it appears to refer to the world as a carcass at the second coming ... what Christ will find after the rapture of believers. It will be unclean and there will not be much useful meat on its bones ... only the remnant ... the 144,000 and those who would repent. Again, it is about recognition of that which is of the world and that which is not: in another word ... discernment. It is about knowing what is Caesar’s and what is God’s. Those who know the difference, of them the world is not worthy. The eagles appear to be gathering around to clean the bones of the carcass, to take off the dead meat, making it pristine and not common or unclean.

#57) (Coptic) 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 91 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.” (1:pg 12)

Matthew 13:24-30 He presented another parable to them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. But when the wheat sprang up and bore grain, then the tares became evident also ... And he said to them, ‘An enemy has done this!’ And the slaves said ti him, ‘Do you want us, then, to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No; lest while you are gathering up the tares, you may root up the wheat with them. Allow both to grow together until the harvest; and in the time of the harvest I will say to the reapers, ‘First gather up the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them up; but gather the wheat into my barn.” (13B;pg 1282-83)

This is further explained in Matthew 13:37 And He answered and said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. Therefore just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age.” (13B;pg 1283)

Further he says in His warning in Matthew 13:42&43 that, “ ...and [He] will cast them into the furnace of fire; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.” (13B;pg 1283) Q4 This verse in part also tells about the separation of the good from the bad in a perpetual fire “... His pitchfork is in his hand, ready to thresh the grain. He will gather the wheat into his granary; but he will burn the chaff in a fire that never goes out.” (14B;pg 37)

This is not a saying of Jesus, but a proclamation by John the Baptist at a baptismal rite prior to Jesus emerging on the scene. But the message is clear ... while the good and the bad, the believers and the unbelievers, will mingle for a time, there will come a time when they will be separated with the most blessed and tragic of consequences. The side you are on in this life, will be where you spend eternity. And if you are not with Him, and are therefore are against Him, it will be an eternity of Hell. This is about judgement: the end game.

It also appears that as in the parable of the Wheat and Tares above, that when the fruits of the Spirit become evident, so also do the fruits of the enemy in an effort to to tempt and persuade the believer. It was said to me long ago that the closer one gets to God the more Satan makes an effort to intercede. As long as there is no commitment, Satan has you, but once you get “off the fence” you are a threat to his unholy kingdom. He does not want to lose a soul, and so he sows his tares.

92 But the final warning in the explanation of the parable is one of triumph for the believer. Those who have heard should listen, and there are not many in this global village who have not heard the name of Jesus. Take heed!

Also, refer back to GOT#45 with regard to fruits of the kingdom, and the notion that “grapes are not harvested from thorn trees, not figs from thistles. Another about sowing is GOT#9 and the seed that fell on various types of soil. The parallels are obvious, and underline His theme regarding the eternal outcome of unwillingness to believe. He did not say that we had to be perfect in our belief, but that we are willing. It’s that easy, and trust me, that difficult.

A reflection on wheat (first fruits of the harvest) from the Old Testament belies its importance as foodstuff, but also the importance of a full crop, not one partially corrupted by weeds or tares. One can see from the following that a full harvest would be important to prevent starvation, but also to provide offerings to the Lord for His faithfulness and the Israelites’ prosperity that year. Thus the concern in the parable of the workers that they pull up the weeds early to prevent a less than bountiful harvest.

Exodus 34:22&26 And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the feast of Ingathering at year’s end. The first fruits of your land you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God. (21B;pg 182&183)

In conclusion ...

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail ...” (21B;pg 1840)

John 12:24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” (21B;pg 1893)

In John He foreshadows His own death and resurrection. Thus wheat has become more than a grain, but a symbol for the resurrection and the harvest at the end of days. Small seed; large message. While Thomas uses the parable in shortened form, the meaning would not have been misunderstood, and it is perfectly understood in its brevity.

#58) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed is the man who has toiled and has found life.” (1;pg 12)

Matthew 11:28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (13B;pg 1277)

This seems to follow a statement I once read that said, in essence, that we will be restless until we find rest in Him. Call it toil, work, being burdened, etc., but it is all a state of restlessness. In Him that comes to an end ... it may also refer to the earthly life verses the 93 eternal resting place. I also feel that this could be read as “having tried many avenues, blessed is the one who comes to Jesus, for in Him is rest for the spirit.” Much of what Christ refers to is spiritual, whether it is rest, riches or possessions, yearning, etc.

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (13B;pg 1531)

Isaiah 49:4 But I said, “I have toiled in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely the justice due to me is with the Lord, and my reward with my God.” (13B;pg 960)

In other words, “After you have toiled, come to Me.” If you are at rest, the toiling is over and the real work begins, and yet I do not believe that we are truly at rest until we are reborn in eternity with our God. The work of perfecting and transcending is never done in this life.

Matthew 6:28 “And why are you so anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin.” (13B;pg 1268)

Paul in his letter to the Philippians says it best ... and James gives it a different twist. James, in his own well-intended way also reminds that while work, toil and works are important aspects of a believer’s life, thry cannot stand alone. It must always begin and end with Him because we cannot save ourselves. Christ already did that on the cross once and for all. Work has its place, but it must not be considered as a stand alone activity lest it be a vanity, arrogance and petty. It cannot save us or make us better people. We are as good as we can be when we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, however flawed we may be at that time in that place.

Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (13B;pg 1570)

James 2:20&26 But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless ... For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead. (13B;pg 1639)

In the converse ... works without faith is a hollow pursuit and ends in nothing.

#59) (Coptic) 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.” (1;pg 13)

Q58 “Those who grasp and clutch at self will lose it. Those who let go of self and follow me will find it.” (14B;pg 92)

94 Q63 “Enter by the narrow gate. The path that leads to destruction is wide an easy. Many follow it. But the narrow gate and hard road lead to life. Few discover it.” (14B;pg 97)

John 7:33&34 Jesus therefore said, “For a little while longer I am with you, then I go to Him who sent Me. You shall seek Me and not find Me; and where I am you cannot come.” (13B;pg 1410)

John 13:33 “Little children, I am with you a little while longer. You shall seek me; and as I said to the Jews, I now say to you also, ‘Where I am going, you cannot come.’” (13B;pg 1421)

Matthew 10:39 “He who has found his life shall lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake shall find it.” (13B;pg 1276)

Luke 17:33 “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” (21B;pg 1824)

This was a message of focus if nothing else ... during His brief ministry, Christ reminded them that He would only be with them for a short while; in the same vein He reminds us to focus on Him, that if we lose Him in this life we will also lose Him in the next. John comes closer to capturing what is again somewhat of a mystical saying. It doesn’t tell how, but that we must.

In Luke, as is generally the interpretation the word “LIFE” ref# 5590 actually refers to psuche or soul. The immaterial part of man held in common with animals, or life element. The difference between man and animals is that man has a spirit, and can therefore communicate with God. (13B;pg 1888)

Thomas’ approach is pretty straightforward, and does speak for itself in sparse terms. In essence, in my own words ... Stay focused on Jesus Christ as long as you live, otherwise you might die not having known Him, and he will then be unavailable to you in the life to come. Or, you will spend your eternity in the way you chose in life on earth. This would be called hell, or the emptiness of an eternity without God. All of the fire and brimstone could not fill the emptiness of a life without God ... either here or in the hereafter. In actuality, we have a very short time that we can make a decision for Him in this sphere, thus the notion that He is with us “but a short time.”

We, of course cannot go where He goes, however we can come to God through Him by the Holy Spirit, the helper and guide that He left with us.

#60) (Coptic) [He saw] a Samaritan carrying a lamb and going to Judea. He said to His disciples, “[Why does] that man [carry] 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

95 cannot 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.” (1;pg 13)

I believe that Christ in this passage is making reference to Hebrew Law, and the consumption of life blood, and to Himself ... that we might partake of “the Lamb” (the body and the blood) once it has been killed. Seek a place in Him that you might have rest and avoid what the Son of Man must do to fulfill the prophecy. We could not do it even if we wished to. This does sound less like the balance of the codex, and might be a candidate for question since it has no actual corollary. Yet it does have the essence of prophecy regarding His death. It may also serve as a warning to those who find themselves lifted up and lauded, that it may very well be a passing moment ... just as He was brought into Jerusalem with fanfare, yet was deemed a criminal within days by many of those praising Him. Yes, you too could become a carcass if you do not find rest in Him. I’m sure He looked at the Temple, as it had become, as a sort of carcass ... the remains of what it had been in its glory.

Refer to GOT#56 as it also involves a carcass as it evidently refers to the world as it exists without Christ and without life. Many of us are walking carcasses because we are bodies without a spirit for Christ. Carcasses are without the life blood, therefore can be eaten, yet it is the life blood that provides life to the body, without it, one may be consumed by the world. A body without a spirit (life) is truly the walking dead, and will be consumed by the passions of the world.

John 6:56&57 “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me, and I in him. As the living Father sent Me. And I live because of the Father, so he who eats Me, he shall also live because of Me.” (13B;pg 1408)

Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (6B;pg 943)

Matthew 10:28 “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill you. They can only kill you body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” (6B;pg 942)

Psalm 94:12-14 Blessed is the man whom you instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit is dug for the wicked. For the Lord will not cast off His people, nor will He forsake His inheritance. (21B;pg 1000)

Luke 6:3 “Go your ways; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.” (13B;pg 1364)

Revelation 5:6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. (13B;pg 1678)

96 Revelation 5:12 ... saying with a loud voice, “Worthy is the Lamb that was slain ...” (13B;pg 1678)

#61) (Coptic) 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 the One.” Jesus said to her, “I am the one who comes from what is whole. I was granted from the things of my Father.” [She said] “I am your disciple.” [He said] “For this reason I say, if he is [whole], he will be filled with light, but if he is divided, he will be filled with darkness.” (1;pg 13)

See GOT#24 about the light that is within us ...He said to them, “Anyone with two good 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.” (5;pg 4)

See GOT #17 for a reconsideration of the mystery of that which is God., as well as Q32 regarding that which can only be revealed by coming to the Father through the Son. Once again, a mystery that takes the knowledge from the wise & the clever and gives it to the “childlike.” It is about a relationship, not the conferring of pure wisdom or discipline. The Gnostics, how well-intended, had it wrong ... it was available to all regardless of initiation or pedigree.

Luke 17:34 “That night two people will be asleep in one bed; one will be taken away, and the other will be left. Two women will be grinding flour together at the mill; one will be taken, the other left.”

Some manuscripts add verse 36 (this appears in Matthew) which says, “Two men will be working in the field; one will be taken, the other left.” (6B;pg 1031)

Matthew 24:36, 40&41 “However, no one knows the day or the hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son Himself. Only the Father knows ... Two men will be working together in the field; one will be taken, the other left. Two women will be grinding flour at the mill; one will be taken, the other left. So be prepared, because you don’t know what day your Lord is coming.” (6B;pg 963)

Q50 “...But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night you may die. Then who will own this hoard of yours?’ So it is with those who pile up possessions but remain poor in the treasures of the spirit.” (14B;pg 84)

Q55 “If the owner of a house knows when a thief is coming, he will be on guard and not let anyone break into the house. You too must be prepared – the Son of Man will arrive when you least expect Him.” (14B;pg 89)

Q80 “... If two people are sleeping, one will be taken, the other left. If two women are grinding grain at the mill, one will be taken, the other will be left.” (14B;pg 115) 97 The best line among them all is in Matthew where Christ reminds us that it is far more prudent to be prepared, because we don’t know the time of our own death, nor do we know when He will return. This has been illustrated over and over again as the unthinkable happens ... unforseen disasters, both natural and man made occur that defy preparation.

In the above passage, it appears that Christ initiates the conversation, as He has a point he would like to make, and He proceeds to do so, and elaborates. Salome is the mother of the apostles James and John, and the wife of Zebedee. She stood at the cross when Jesus was crucified, and went on Resurrection morning to anoint the body. In Matthew 20:20 she asks Him to make places for her sons in the kingdom of heaven, in which he responds with ...“you don’t know what you are asking.” (This is not the same Salome who danced and then asked for the head of John the Baptist on a platter.) The point being, Christ would have actually known her, and her brash style illustrated in Matthew reveals itself here, also. The conversation sounds a bit stilted, but it does provide the writer an opportunity for Christ to make a point about preparation, and to reveal from whom He sprang as the glorified Son ... that which is whole and of the light.

#62) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I disclose my mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] mysteries.

Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (1;pg 13)

At first glance these two passages appear to have no connection, and it may be that there was connecting text that was destroyed or omitted. Yet, it may also be a wise tactic in keeping inflammatory rhetoric out of the hands of those wishing ill will toward the movement, at least until the time was right. I would call it “plausible deniability..” In otherwords, one could distance oneself from any remarks or appearance of impropriety by simply denying it, and that denial being uncontested or at least unprovable. I know that it sounds awfully legalistic, however, Christ warned that we should be gentle as doves and sly as foxes. He is disclosing mysteries, and wants to keep it that way until He sees the time as being ripe for opportunity. Satan was known to weasel his way into the group.

Q82 says something about what would await those “worthy “ of Him ... Jesus said to His followers, “You have stayed close to me through all of my trials. You will eat and drink with me in the realm of God.” (14B;pg 118)

Q57 in closing ... “Unless you carry your own cross and follow me, you are not worthy.” (14B;pg 91)

Matthew 13:11 His disciples came and asked him, “Why do you always tell stories when you talk to people?” Then he explained to them, “You have been permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others have not.” (6B;pg 946)

98 This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah 6:9&10 which basically says that people will hear His words but not understand because their hearts have been hardened, that the will of God might be performed. This also harks back to Pharaoh, when his heart was hardened against the Israelites prior to the Exodus.

Mark 4:11 And He was saying to them (about the parables), “To you has been given the mystery of the kingdom of God; but t hose who are outside get everything in parables, ...” (13B;pg 1319) The prophecy of Isaiah is restated here, also.

Luke 8:10 And He said, “To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is parables, in order that ...” (13B;pg 1359) Again, the prophecy of Isaiah concludes the passage.

Matthew 6:3 “But when you give alms do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” (16B;pg 1267)

The right hand side is preferred (#1188) Dexios (13B;pg 1820), so it would seem that it was intentional that the good side would not let the bad or dark side know what was being transacted, lest the temptation be too great that one might reconsider doing the good deed or boasting as its own reward. Satan being the “left hand” in this case. Regarding the right hand ...

Galatians 2:9 ... and recognizing the grace that had been given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were reputed to be pillars, gave to me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we might go to the Gentiles, and they to be circumcised. (13B;pg 1551)

Mark 16:19 So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. (13B;pg 1342)

#63) (Coptic) Jesus said, “There was a rich man who had a great deal of money. He said, ‘I shall invest my money so that I may sow, reap and plant, and fill my storehouse with produce, that I may lack nothing.’ These were the things he was thinking in his heart, but that very night he died. Let him who has ears hear.” (1:pg 13)

Luke 12:13-15 is the lead-in to the following parable in 16-21 ...Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother how to divide our father’s estate with me.” Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Don’t be greedy for what you don’t have. Real life is not measured by what we own.” (6B;pg 1023)

Luke 12:16-21 And he gave an illustration: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. In fact, the barns were full to overflowing. So he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store everything. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry.’ But God said to him, 99 ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get it all?’ Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.” (6B;pg 1023)

Part of this same idea is expressed in Q49 as in Luke 12:16-21 above, and is set aside to allow Jesus to get out from under the people’s desire to have Him decide legal matters of inheritance, etc. Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the family inheritance with me.” Jesus responded, “Friend, who made me judge?” (14B;pg 83)

He is not about to fall into the trap of being exactly like those he was distancing Himself from ... the Pharisees, the Sanhedrin, etc. He wanted to focus on spiritual matters with the little time He had to perform His ministry.

The additional explanation about the “lesson” is reworded in the above when Jesus admonishes the listener that life is not measured by what is accumulated, but that which we have stored up in heaven ... with God. This is missing from the GOT, but is certainly intimated, and no doubt would have been easily understood when He says that those with ears should listen. In other words, have you considered your priorities in light of eternity? As in our society, we are often compared to others (the Joneses for instance) in an effort to determine how successful we are in relationship to others, how hard we have worked, how good we have been, etc. In that day, a person was considered blessed if he had material wealth. That is a strong consistent message in the Old Testament. One excellent example is Job, when all is taken from him; and when he has proven his righteousness, all is reinstated. It demonstrates that he is again in God’s favor. This would have been a contrarian point of view, that material wealth was not as important as the relationship one had with God, cultural standards notwithstanding.

Q50 is almost identical, as it is a redaction of Luke and Matthew, except that the final passage is slightly reworded so as to be specific “...So it is with those who pile up possessions but remain poor in the treasures of the spirit.” (14B;pg 84)

We now find ourselves coming full circle, ending back at an earlier message about a person being unable to serve two masters. This is located in GOT#47, and less directly GOT#54. Poverty, like wealth is a spiritually based concept, and it is truly when we worship the material that we wind up with unresolvable frustration and the problems surrounding hollow lives. We should not be ruled by possessions, or the striving for them, because they cannot be taken with us. They often become the very idols we know are an abomination in God’s sight. He gave us the things of His creation, to make it better, not to take His place.

An extension of this material worship is addressed in Q67 ... “Those who praise themselves will be humbled. Those who humble themselves will be praised.” (14B;pg 101)

In the teaching about money and possessions, Luke relates that our needs are already taken care of because God knows them before we are aware that a need exists. This is 100 like knowing your name before you are in the womb, before the womb was formed for that purpose. He knows our plans.

Luke12:30&31 “These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.. He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the kingdom of God your primary concern.” (6B;pg 1024)

Proverbs gives a stark picture of Old Testament blessing ..

Proverbs 19:4 Wealth adds many friends, but a poor man is separated from his friend. (13B;pg 859)

Psalms reflect the heart of God by prophesying ... Psalm 49:16 Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house is increased; for when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not descend after him. (13B;pg 754)

Most of the issue with wealth reflecting blessing is based on what God did for the nation of Israel as it was blessed with goods and expanded territory. Also, there was not as much emphasis on the spiritual, as OT wealth was generally reflective of a right spirit ... a walk with God. Christ took what David obviously learned in Psalms and mapped it over to a culture who had made wealth an institution, not a blessing. Note this in Jesus’ anger with those who had made the Temple a “den of thieves.” Until the reformation of the Law possessing was always a sign that all was right with God; but God was sending a new law in the person of Jesus Christ. God evidently realized that focus on possessions robbed human beings of their generosity and love for one another, otherwise the Ten Commandments would not have had such heavy emphasis on coveting and being envious.

Genesis 17:8 “And I will give to you and to your descendents after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Caanan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.” (13B;pg 24)

#64) (Coptic) Jesus said, “A man 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

101 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.” (1;pg 14)

Or, those who would place their buying and merchandising before their worship of God.

Luke 14:16-24 Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to come. But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, so he asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married, so he said he couldn’t come. The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was angry and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and the alleys of the city and invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.’ After the servant had done this, he reported, ‘There is still room for more.’ So the master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you can find to come, so that the house will be full. For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.’ (6B;pg 1026&27)

Matthew 22:1,2,6, 11&12 Then Jesus spoke to the multitude and to His disciples saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; ... And they love the place of honor at banquets, and the chief seats in the synagogues, ... But the greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” (13B;pg 1299)

Matthew 19:23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” And further in verse 24, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” (13B;pg 1293)

The answer to all of this is given in verses 25 and 26 when the disciples ask, “Then who can be saved.?” Jesus says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (13B;pg 1293)

Remember, it is about God, not us!

Mark 10:23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.” (13B;pg 1331)

This statement in Mark and in Matthew is not a stand alone passage. It concludes a conversation with a wealthy and obedient young man who cannot see clear to give up his possessions to follow Jesus. In the passage Jesus is said to feel a love for the young man, but an implied sadness knowing the outcome. Christ is simply stating that it will be very difficult for those with means to set them aside and follow Him. It wasn’t so much a damning statement, as an observation of truth. It is as true today. 102

Q68 In this version, which is considered the source for Matthew and Luke, the excuses differ somewhat but the final passages are compelling ... “In a fit of anger, the man shouted, ‘Go out right now into the streets and alleys and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ Soon the servant reported back, ‘I’ve carried out your orders, but there is still room.’ ‘Then go further out to the roads and country lanes,’ the man responded, ‘and lead people back until my house is filled. But not one of those original guests will share this feast.’” (14B;pg 102&103)

There is apparently more room than imagined, especially since room for a handful of select guests has expanded into room enough for all. And this is what Christ did when He opened the kingdom to Gentiles and to all the world. In other words, I am rejected by those few I have loved deeply; but now I spread that love to all who would accept it ... I open my house now to all who would be willing to come. He has opened His arms through Jesus Christ ... for all who would believe. There is no greater love than this.

This is all a very long parable, but makes it clear that those originally intended for fine dining will have given up their places to those deemed undeserving. This, as stated in the Gospel of Q, was meant to turn the tables (literally) upside down, as Christ was prone to do to drive His point home to those who believed that they could ignore the invitation to dine (in this case with God the Father). This would have been a very obvious slap in the face to those who were so based on protocol and correct behavior. A poor or lame person was never accorded the right to sit among those of higher social and religious status. It just wasn’t done until Jesus gathered His followers, most of whom would never have been invited to such a feast. Christ offered a spiritual feast that far exceeded any worldly orgy of consumption. Christ would have been looked upon as the Mother Theresa of His time, except that at that time there was no dignity in such work ... it was unclean. All the more why, I’m sure, Jesus’ parables infuriated those in high standing. By this time the station of Temple priest and /or Sanhedrin member conferred both social and religious status. Notice I did not say “spiritual.” That is another state of being altogether. Not all were corrupt, however, most were evidently self-serving or Christ would have had no mission.

As a footnote to the passage, please see the following from The Gospel of Q ... To the cultures of the Middle East, sharing a meal signified much more than simply eating together. To invite a person to dinner was to honor them.; and very strict Jewish rules dictated who was a suitable guest. Jesus is turning this tradition upside down by inviting the homeless to share a meal while excluding the wealthy. (14B;pg 103)

Matthew 19:30 “ But many who are first will be last ; and the last, first.” (13B;pg 1293)

#65) (Coptic) He said, “A good man 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 tenants beat that one as well. Then 103 the master sent his son and said, ‘Perhaps they’ll show my son some respect.’ Because the tenants knew that he was the heir to the vineyard, they grabbed him and killed him. Let him who has ears hear.” (1;pg14)

Matthew 21:33-39 “Hear another parable: There was a certain landowner who planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a winepress in it and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now when vintage-time drew near, he sent his servants to the vine dressers, that they might receive its fruit. And the vinedressers took his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. Again he sent other servants, more than the first, and they did likewise to them. Then last of all he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the vinedressers saw the son, they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come let us kill him and seize his inheritance.’ So they took him and cast him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those vinedressers?” (3B;pg 1408)

Following this is the response of His audience and a prophecy from Psalm 118:22 regarding His death in all three cases. Thomas does not carry the prophecy, as it may have come from another source or had been added for emphasis. In any case it does not diminish the prophetic Psalm.

Luke 20:9-15 Then He began to tell the people this parable, “A certain man planted a vineyard, leased it to vinedressers, and went into a far country for along time. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that they might give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vinedressers beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent another servant; and they beat him also, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. And again he sent a third; and they wounded him also and cast him out. Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Probably they will respect him when they see him.’ But when the vinedressers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.’ So they cast him out of the vineyards and killed him. Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? He will come and destroy those vinedressers and give the vineyard to others.” (3B;pg 1498-99)

Mark 12:1-8 Then he began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit from the vinedressers. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. Therefore what will the owner of the

104 vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. (3B;pg 1446)

Another reference to the kingdom, the world/established order, the prophets and Jesus Christ. This parable in Matthew follows a statement that was directed at the chief priests of the Temple stating that prostitutes and tax collectors would enter the kingdom before them. This is followed in chapter 22 by the parable of the feast that the invited guests would not attend. By this time the Pharisees were already trying to figure out how to take Him out. Public humiliation did not go over well, especially by an itinerant teacher who was not considered a peer, anyhow. Because all 3 Synoptics have this embedded in their gospels, it stands to reason that they did not arrive at the same point individually, but had a common source. Either this is from the Q source or from Thomas. Thomas is the most concise and would be a candidate as an independent source that all used and embellished. Note that all have altered the story somewhat, but not enough to distort the intended meaning.

#66) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Show me the stone that the builders rejected; that is the keystone.” (1;pg 14)

In this particular passage, the Synoptics agree in using this passage to conclude the parable of the Vineyard Owner just as it follows in the GOT. This is not always the case but does show some deeper coherence, and support, across the various renderings.

Luke 20:17 Then He looked at them and said, “What then is this that is written, ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.’? Whoever falls on that stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (21B;pg 1831)

In Luke, this was specifically directed to Jewish authorities, and even then they were looking for ways to “lay hands on Him,” for they surely reflected on Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus says the Lord God: “Behold. I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation ...” (21B;pg1194) And it probably made them furious that Jesus would turn the tables and use the prophecy against them. He was letting them know that he was aware that they had misappropriated their God- given authority, status ans blessing.

Matthew 21:42 Jesus said to them, “Have you ever read the scriptures: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’ Therefore I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a nation bearing the fruits of it. And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder.” (21B;pg 1682)

Mark 12:10 “Have you not even read the scripture: ‘The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing, and it is 105 marvelous in our eyes’?” And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. (21B;pg 1741)

Psalm 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. (21B;pg 1025)

Zechariah 10:3&4 For the Lord of Hosts will visit His flock, the house of Judah, and will make them as His royal horse in battle. From Him comes the cornerstone, from Him the tent peg, from Him the battle bow. (21B;pg 1582)

1 Peter 2:4-6 Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. To offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (21B;pg 2265)

Isaiah 8:13-15 “...Let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread. He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. And many among them shall stumble; they shall fall and be broken, be snared and taken.” (21B;pg 1168)

The “cornerstone” is ordinarily interpreted to mean the foundation stone that joins two walls at the corner and so gives cohesion to the whole building. The precise meaning as translated is not altogether clear. Others would have it that the cornerstone is the one that closes the vault of the ceiling, thus giving solidity and finality to the construction. In both cases it is clear that in figurative terms it is a fundamental role by one part that has a distinct effect on the whole, such as a leader would have on the people. In expressing the Church in terms of building up an edifice, Paul shows Christ to be the cornerstone by inference in Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Jesus Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (21B;pg 2126), for Christ is the cornerstone of the apostolic foundation, God’s good works, of the Church in Him and as a coherence in our own lives ... that which we would also build up in faith. We are the cornerstone of the body of Christ. (See 28B;pg 101)

#67) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Whoever believes that all is lacking, is himself completely lacking.” (1;pg 15)

For he who has no hope, all hope is lost. However ...

Ecclesiastes 9:4&5 But for him who is joined to the all the living there is hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing, and they have no more reward. (40B;pg 1092)

Psalm 39:7 And now, Lord what do I wait for? My hope is in you. Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the reproach of the foolish. (40B;pg 917)

106 Acts 24:5 I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. (21B;pg 2006)

1 Thessalonians 2:19&20 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming.? For you are our glory and joy. (21B;pg 2167)

This passage asks the question by inference and supposes that the converse is, in fact, true. Above are a few brief passages that reassure those who would believe that hope in Christ is the only real hope there is. The whole Bible could be placed here as that is its genre ...category: HOPE.

#68) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed are you when you are hated and persecuted; and no place will be found, wherever you have been persecuted. (1;pg 15)

#69) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Blessed are those who have been persecuted in their hearts: they are the ones who have truly come to know the Father.

Blessed are those who go hungry, for the belly of him who desires will be filled.” (1;pg 15)

These are placed back to back in the codex, and seem, on the surface, to be similar, and they are, however GOT #69 appears to be a continuation of the thought or dialogue suggesting that those Christians who are persecuted for Him are blessed ... or will be blessed in a better place. In other words, these is a point to what we experience; that it is not meaningless trial and tribulation. Christ goes on to use the analogy that those who are hungry (in spirit) will be fed, their desires met. Sometimes this might be certain plagues taken from them. I have always interpreted it in this fashion, as well. Again, there is hope. GOT #69 addresses the trial of the heart, apparently more difficult to withstand, while GOT #68 reminds us that there will be outward persecution, that Satan will work on the heart and our outward day-to-day experience: there is no safety except in Him. Many will do the work of the dark one, wittingly and unwittingly.

Q10 “Happy are those who are hungry now, you shall be satisfied. Fortunate are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.” (14B;pg 43)

Q13 “Fortunate are you when people hate you, exclude you, abuse you and denounce you on my account. Celebrate when that day comes and dance for joy – your reward will be great in heaven. Remember that their ancestors treated the prophets this way.” (14B;pg 46)

1 Peter 3:14 & 17 But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed ... For it is better, if God should will, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong. (13B;pg 1648) 107 Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (40B;pg 1583)

Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” (40B;pg 1583)

Luke 6:21&22 “Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be filled.” (40B;pg 1702)

Matthew 5:11&12 “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (40B;pg 1583)

Psalm 94:12&13 Blessed is the man whom you instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him rest from the days of adversity ... (40B;pg 977)

Psalm 119:2 Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart . (40B;pg 1002)

Without a doubt the Old Testament instructions in Psalms reflect the blessings that result from keeping God’s law in times that would tempt one to do otherwise. It is the same concept, however Christ makes it critical that we understand that like the Jews, we as Christians will be persecuted and treated unfairly because we believe in and worship Him. Our struggle to keep the law is mapped over to remaining faithful to His name. He knew it would be as hard to do this in a modern age as it was for the peoples of old to uphold the Law. We as spiritual brothers with the nation of Israel seem bound to experience a portion of their tribulation. The difference is that we do it for Christ, the fulfilment of the Law, not for the letter of the Law which condemns us.

#70) (Coptic) Jesus said, “If you bring forth what is within you, what you have will save you. If you do not have that within you, what you do not have within you will kill you.” (1;pg 15)

If you do not have Jesus Christ in you, in your heart, then all that you do have within you, no matter how wonderful or grandiose, will kill you in sin. For without Jesus Christ one cannot conquer death which is the consequence of sin. Christ conquered death, and through Him we have salvation ... eternity in heaven with God. I do not believe that this about saving oneself with one’s own power or ability. This is about bringing forth the Godl that is within us that will save us from ourselves. In particular see Psalm 40 below about that which is placed upon our hearts from the beginning. We either manifest God or Satan. There is really no middle ground or gray area. That which we nurture within us will either save us or kill us for eternity.

108 Mark 7:20-23 And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders ... All these evil things come from within and defile a man.” (40B;pg 1656)

Luke 17:21 “... nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” (13B;pg 1380)

In the NKJV it is translated as “For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.” (40B;pg 1733)

So, if the kingdom of God is within you, or that potential resides within each individual, because we are made in His image, then the GOT passage does make sense, because so is the potential for sin within us ... it is a matter of what we choose ... which master we serve. We can bring out that which is Godly or that which is ungodly. Sin would be that which you do not have within you, or the absence of the Godly. The kingdom now is the presence of God upon this earth in the person of the Holy Spirit ... that glue that Christ left us to bind us together in the one body. One day Jesus will rule over all, and He will share that rule with His people ... those who would bring forth the Godly that is within them in the name of Christ. (taken from 40B;pg 1733 concordance)

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do Thy will, O my God; Thy Law is within my heart. (13B;pg 747)

Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (13B;pg 1263)

The kingdom is here right now in the world ... in the hearts of believers in Christ as Lord. The point is that we are infused with God ... it is both within us and all around us. In all creatures, in all things is the potential for good and evil. People , places, and things can be, and are used for, that which is their purpose. God can bring good out of evil whereas Satan can only bring evil out all that he touches. To reinforce the idea that God pervades His creation, see the final line in GOT#77 which says, “Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up a stone and you will find Me there.” (1;pg 16) God is in all places at all times ... that means that He is omnipresent through the Trinity. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God ... from the Gospel of John, verse 1.

This is also parallel to the parable of fruit trees producing the crops that represent their nature. Good trees bear sweet and edible fruit, while bad trees bear withered, bitter fruit. You cannot bring out of you that which is not there. That is what the passage from Thomas is attempting to say. True evil cannot bring forth good ... only a facade or facsimile. Only the Holy Spirit can anoint the vessel.

As John the Baptist said in his ministry in Matthew 3:10 “... every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire.” (13B;pg 1261)

109 Matthew 7:17 “You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they?” (13B;pg 1269)

One does good works and produces abundant fruit because one is first a believer in Christ as Lord, not the other way around. It requires a conscious choice to bring out that which would save us. It is a conscious act, as Thomas indicates.

Luke 6:45 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (40B;pg 1703)

Actions, not words, indicate where one’s heart is. (40B;pg 1703 concordance)

Psalm 28:7 The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in Him with all my heart. He helps me and my heart is filled with joy (6B;pg 580)

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. (6B;pg 592)

Isaiah 51:7 Listen to me, you who know right from wrong and chesrish my law in your hearts. (6B;pg 723)

Romans 10:10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved. (6B;pg 1127)

#71) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I will destroy [this] house, and no one will be able to build it [...]” (1;pg 15)

This appears to refer to both the Temple at Jerusalem, which would be destroyed by Rome in A.D. 70, and to His own body, which would be “rebuilt by God and God alone” at the resurrection. It will be rebuilt a second time at the Second Coming previewed in Revelation. The Temple in Jerusalem will also be rebuilt, however, it will be for the anti- Christ, not the Messiah. Jews see the Anointed in a worldly reign, whereas the Christians see His reign in a more heavenly perspective ... or the new Jerusalem. Christ will reign over all. It is not in one place or another, for some and not others. He will reign over all who believe.

And, of course, while man may pride himself in many things, he did not crucify Christ without His consent. It is only by His willingness to be sacrificed for our sins that mortal man was able to do the deed. Only He could destroy that house and rebuild it in three days.

Mark 14:58 “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” (40B;pg 1676)

110 John 2:19-21 Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple, and you will raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. (13B;pg 1400)

Matthew 26:61 Finally two men were found who declared, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days.’” (6B;pg 967)

Acts 7:48 However, the Most High doesn’t live in temples made by human hands. (6B;pg 1085)

Mark 15:29 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself, and come down from the cross.” (40B;pg 1678)

#72) (Coptic) A [person] said to Him, “Tell my brothers to divide my father’s possessions with me.”

He said to the person, “Mister, who made me a divider?”

He turned to His disciples and said to them, “I’m not a divider, am I?” (1;pg 15)

Just as when He was attempted to be entrapped by the Pharisees regarding the payment of taxes in Caesar, Christ side steps the issue of making legal decisions as might be articulated by Jewish authorities ... that would place Him in direct conflict. He steers very clear of mixing his message with legislation or worldly law-based decision making. He leaves that to the lawyers and to those scribes, tax collectors and Temple officials. He did make clear his disdain for those who would abuse their position of authority, thereby taking unfair advantage of those with little wealth or power.

Interestingly, in this case He asks whether He is a divider, which under these circumstances he is not; yet in other passages He clearly states that following Him would create strong division between families and those in authority. Evidently, He wants the issue to be about spiritual division, not about division of worldly goods, which are worthless in the face of eternity.

Luke 11:17 But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls.” (3B;pg 1482)

Mark 3:24 “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (3B;pg 1429)

Q49 Someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the family inheritance with me.” 111 Jesus responded, “Friend, who made me a judge?” (14B;pg 83)

Luke 12:13&14 And someone in the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me.”

But He said, “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbiter over you?” (13B;pg 1369)

To clarify Christ goes on in verse 15 to day that we must be on guard against every form of greed. He is not getting sucked into the argument, as these are not the important issues. He is saying that we need to think these issues through and decide if these are the battles we want to engage in. These are the issues that divide us, even well-meaning believers can get pulled into conflict that can divide and separate the body of Christ in the Church, in the family and in our various day-to-day relationships. These worldly pursuits will more often divide than bond or bring us together. Christ knew that politics, money and arrogance and pride have divided us more often than not. Many churches have been fractured over issues of politics, personality and pride. Christ is not judging us by our possessions, but by the condition of our souls.

Jesus did all that was possible in the Scriptures to direct people toward becoming the body of Him, and not yielding to the temptation to create division. In the following passage about the likeness on the denarius, He does attempt to redirect or deflect questions that would create and support divisiveness among potential followers, and give authorities the ammunition they wanted to snare Him. The only division that Christ wanted was to spiritually separate believers from the Law and from the authorities that would judge them, thus focusing attention on grace and salvation. He had a radical new approach to the human condition. Unfortunately, many established leaders did not want to see their authority usurped by such a man. But He knew that eventually divisions would take place ... those who believed in Him separated eternally from those who could not, or would not, accept His Lordship.

The truth is that all of creation is united under God whether we want to believe it or not. Even Satan is united under God in that He cannot do what God will not allow. All is united under Him, so if one believes, there is no division except from those who will not accept the Truth. Remember that we cannot serve two masters, lest we serve one and despise the other.

Luke 20:25 And He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” (13B;pg 1385)

Luke 9:50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.” (13B;pg 1363)

And yet, people by choice will divide or separate themselves from the Truth, thus Luke 12:51 which says, “Do you suppose that I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, but rather division; ...” (13B;pg 1371) 112 Christ came to offer salvation; people choose to divide themselves over the issue.

#73) (Coptic) Jesus said, “The harvest is great but the laborers are few, so beg the lord of the harvest to send out laborers to the harvest.” (1;pg 15)

Q38 “Anyone who is not with me is against me. Whoever does not help me gather scatters.” (14B;pg 72)

Q28 “Although he crop is abundant, there are few workers to harvest it, so ask the owner to send more laborers out into the fields. Get going, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.” (14B;pg 62)

Matthew 9:37&38 He said to the disciples, “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (6B;pg 941)

Luke 10:2&3 These were His instructions to them: “The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, and ask him to send out more workers for his fields.” (6B;pg 1019)

In this case the disciples are being asked to “beseech” the Lord of the harvest (ref #1189 Deomai) beg and then bind themselves to this process, which in Matthew are separate statements, and in Luke indicates they are being warned about, and sent out among wolves or, those who would not be supportive or wishing them well. This was a prophetic statement as most of them would die violently for the cause of Christ.

Jeremiah 51:33 For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: “The daughter of Babylon is like a threshing floor at the time it is stamped firm; yet in a little while the time of harvest will come for her.” (13B;pg 1068)

Proverbs 10:5 He who gathers in summer is a son who acts wisely, but he who sleeps in harvest is a son who acts shamefully. (13B;pg 848)

Matthew 13:30 “‘Shall we pull out the weeds?’ they asked. “He replied, ‘No, you’ll hurt the wheat if you do. Let both grow together until the harvest. Then I will tell the harvesters to sort out the weeds and burn them and to put the wheat in the barn.’” (6B;pg 947)

Revelation 14:15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying out with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, “Put in your sickle and reap, because the hour to reap has come, because the harvest of the earth is ripe.” (13B;pg 1689)

Harvests are always times of reckoning from the Old Testament, to the ministry of Christ, to the prophecy of Revelation. It is about separation of wheat from tares, the good being 113 separated from the evil or weed, that which would taint the harvest, and probably the offering to a perfect God.

In the oldest liturgical calendars of the Israelites the harvest was the beginning of the year, not the end. However as Babylonian subjects that particular calendar was adopted after the death of Josiah in 609 B.C., and the spring became the beginning of the year. The Proverb above seems to refer to summer fruit gathering, but suggests it was secondary to the true harvest months in the autumn. The Harvest Festival or Feast of Weeks was called Pentecost in Greek or the day after the fiftieth day after the first sheaf of wheat was offered to Yahweh. Thus Pentecost occurs in the autumn, which was an established feast, and would explain why peoples from various regions were assembled in Jerusalem to witness the speaking in tongues that Peter presides over in Acts.

Note that most of the use of harvest is an ending, a final resolving, rather than a beginning in the strictest sense. Consequences are generally considered to come after the act, and as such, most of our conventional wisdom would say that the harvest is the culmination of a season of growing ... or a season of sowing and cultivating. Yet, harvests can be beginnings or endings, so it does not appear that it is the harvest, but that which is harvested that counts. Thomas and the other Gospels suggest that, like the fishes that loaded down their nets, the harvest of souls, is abundant, but that more ministers (laborers) must be called to spread the Word and tend to the ministry. This may have been referring specifically to the explosion of the following of the Way after the resurrection in the first 3 centuries of the Church Era. This might also refer to the need for those in the ministry, for after all, a harvest is only as bountiful as those who gather before the rains and the rotting of the fruit on the vine.

#74) (Coptic) He said, “Lord, there are many around the drinking trough, but there is nothing in the well.” (1;pg 15)

They are gathered around the wrong trough. Happens all the time.

There seems to be no direct parallel or correlating scripture, yet Christ seems to be lamenting the fact that not only is the well of the world run dry, but that those looking for water are at the wrong well. The “living water” springs from Christ through the Holy Spirit, and not from ground water. This could be mapped over to contemporary culture and the desire of those looking to fill their vacant lives looking in all the wrong places for fulfillment. The drinking trough could be power, material gain, plastic surgery, fad diets, obsession, media, marketing, or any number of pursuits that do not gratify or ultimately satisfy.

Christ talks to Nicodemus about the living water that only comes from the Father, and councils the woman at the well looking for water, but finding again, living water that far surpasses the physical quenching of a glass of ground water.

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (13B;pg 1400) 114 John 4:11,13&14 She said to Him, “Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water.” Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.” (13B;pg 1402)

#75) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Many are standing at the door, but those who are alone will enter the bridal suite.” (1;pg 15)

Matthew 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.” (3B;pg 1415)

Mark 2:20 “But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.” (3B;pg 1428)

The bridal chamber as used in Thomas would appear to signify the covenant with Christ; and the intimate relationship with Him. Only those who are separated from the world are to be allowed in … those whose interests prevent that relationship would be left outside. Matthew and Mark, but especially Matthew, indicates that readiness and awareness is key. Timing is critical: one should not wait or tarry lest they miss the opportunity. This is once again about decision making as it applies to believing in Him as Savior. There is nor real alternative, and there may not be a second chance if we are truly in the end of days.

The image of the bridegroom (Christ) is an image often used, especially as it applies to the Church as His bride, however it is the Church that is His body in Colossians 1:24. That is the body of all believers, and that is what is signified by those who would be ready as opposed to those who would be locked out.

There is a sequential connection that would make sense in the above verses ... note that the solitary (or those who are alone) are let in, the door is shut, and then the bridegroom is taken away. There will be fasting in those days, but there is an underlying theme, an understanding that there will be a triumphant return. See Revelation below in chapter 21.

Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.” (13B;pg 1298)

John 3:29&30 “He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. And so this joy of mine has been made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.” (13B;pg 1401)

Revelation 21:2&9 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a beautiful bride prepared for her husband. Then one of the seven

115 angels who held the seven bowls containing the seven last plagues came and said to me, “Come with me! I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.” (6B;pg 1263)

Matthew 22 most accurately reflects what Thomas is saying in succinct terms. The bridal suite is salvation, heaven, being one with God in glory. Few are chosen ... how true; but more certainly true is that the choice ultimately falls upon us. Many are called ... do we heed, do we choose wisely?

Note: this also seems to follow, to some extent, the beatitudes in that those who are now alone, hungry, etc. will not always be that way: that it is a temporary state satisfied by belief in Him, Jesus Christ. All of these worldly woes will come to pass in glory, in heaven.

#76) (Coptic) Jesus said, “The Father’s kingdom is like a merchant who had a supply of merchandise and found a pearl. That merchant was prudent; he sold the merchandise and bought the single pearl for himself.

So also with you, seek his treasure that is unfailing, that is enduring, where no moth comes to eat and no worm destroys.” (1;pg 15)

Matthew 13:45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (21B;pg 1657)

Matthew 6:19-21 “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (21B;pg 1636)

Luke 12:33 &34 “Sell what you have and give alms; provide yourselves with money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is , there your heart will be also.” (21B;pg 1813)

Q54 “Don’t pile up your treasures here on earth. They will be destroyed by moths and rust and stolen by thieves. Store your riches in heaven where moths and rust are powerless and thieves cannot break in. Wherever your treasure is, your heart will also be.” (14B;pg 88)

Mark 10:21 Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. “You lack only one thing,” He told him. “Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.” (6B;pg 986)

Matthew 19:21 and Luke 18:22 tell the same story of the young man who was true to the law, but when asked to give up his wealth and follow Jesus, he was sad because he 116 could not bring himself to do it. He was a good man who followed the letter of the Law, but could not cross the line and give up those worldly treasures that we cannot take with us. Another indication that goodness and relying on the old Law cannot save us without the sacrifice of Christ, and His salvation for us through grace. Not of us, but of Him. Obviously the story rang very true to the various audiences the writers were attempting to reach as it is transmitted almost verbatim in 3 of the 4 Gospels ... the Synoptics for which this is an excellent example of the “same view” doctrine. Again, this is about choices. This is about the choices we face in serving the authorities of this world or the absolute authority of Jesus Christ. We know in our hearts that cannot serve two masters, yet we try to walk the tight wire. Whom will you serve?

Isaiah 33:6 And He shall be the stability of your times, a wealth of salvation, wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is his treasure. (13B;pg 937)

The storing up of treasures in the GOT version is expanded by the other Gospels by defining that place as heaven. By the time they were written the doctrine of Christianity had gelled and been transmitted to areas outside the Hebrew culture, outside Jerusalem to the Mediterranean by Paul and others. The understanding of what actually happened to Christ in the resurrection would have provided certain references to heaven and eternity, that either didn’t exist previously or were uncertain. In any case, the Gospels separate the parable and the commentary. The GOT version poses the problem and the answer as though Christ might have wished to make a point that would speak for itself. But, for certain, there is no doubting that the passages were significant enough to have been carried forward in Matthew and Luke which are shown a common origin in the Q Gospel. This also carries the message that Christ so often made ... that wealth was to be viewed in terms of its spiritual value ... that hoarding might become an obsession and work unto itself. Once again, the gain or the pearl, which appears to be a valuable material, is actually a metaphor for that which is spiritual. One must know that which is valuable, but know it in spiritual terms. No one can take the earthly treasures with him into eternity nor will it benefit him. A heart for God in the name of His son Jesus Christ is the valuable pearl that one recognizes. For that treasure of the Holy Spirit cannot be corrupted by the worms, rust and moths of this realm. As Thomas says, “...seek His treasure that is unfailing ...”

#77) (Coptic) Jesus said, “I am the light that is over all things. I am all: from me all came forth, and to me all attained.

Split a piece of wood; I am there. Lift up a stone, and you will find me there.”

(Greek) “Raise the stone, and there you will find me; cleave the wood, and there I am.” (1;pg 15&16)

Reference GOT saying #30 where this piece about the wood and stone is initially shown. There it is coupled with the passage that suggests that where believers are, there is Christ also. I believe that the placement with #77 is more appropriate with regard to the fact

117 that God is omnipresent ... all places at all times. It follows that theme more fluidly and coherently.

Also reference GOT #50 which refers to light in these terms, “We have come from the light, from the place where the light came into being by itself, established [itself] and appeared in their image.” (1;pg 11)

John 1:3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (40B;pg 1756)

John 1:5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. (40B;pg 1756)

John 8:12 Then Jesus spoke to them saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” (40B;pg 1776)

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? (13B;pg 734)

Psalm 118:27 The Lord is God, and He has given us light; ... (13B;pg 813)

In this passage from Psalms, the Hebrew for Light #216 (Owr) in this case means all illumination, all sources of light, as well as happiness, brightness, clarity, etc...also signifying life in contrast to death. (13B;pg 1709))

Light Strong’s number: H216 Transliteration: or Phonetic: ore



A primitive root; to be (causatively make) luminous (literally and metaphorically): - X break of day, glorious, kindle, (be, en-, give, show) light (-en, -ened), set on fire, shine. (CD5 e-Sword) God is the source of this light, and in fact He is that light.

He is the lightning that splits the sky, and He is the morning star that gives it rise. He cannot be separated from His creation., which is what is being reinforced by the saying about wood and stone. Even these elements resonate with that which is God ... they must as they are from Him ... as John says, all that was made is from Him. And of course the literal and the metaphor are fused when He is described as our light. He made the light that separated darkness, and He became the light that illuminates our spiritual path. Yet

118 the paradox is that God is separate from His creation even though all that is created reflects Him like a vast cosmic mirror. He is the light of things to come.

And yet, the paradox is that while He is the light, and He created the light, He is also separate from it as creator. This is a relationship that no other creator has ... to be separate from the creation, yet having created all that it is.

Christ is the light that shines in our darkness, spiritually speaking. That is what He provided: a lamp unto our feet and a light that the darkness could not comprehend nor overcome. By breaking the hold that darkness has, through sin, He has broken the darkness of death and hell that would separate us eternally from our God. Through Him all is attained.

And finally, from a book outside the Canon, these from the Secret Book of John: He said to me, “The Spirit is a Unity over which no one rules. It is the God of Truth, The Father of the All, The Holy Spirit, the invisible one, the one who is over All, the one who exists in his imperishability, the one who exists in pure light into which no sight can look.” (17B;pg 53)

“It is the immeasurable Light, the holy and pure purity, the indescribable, perfect and imperishable. It is not perfection or beatitude, but something far more excellent.” (17B;pg 53)

The understanding of a God that is over All things remains intact. This last passage sounds more akin to Thomas, however, much of the Secret Book of John is more Gnostic, and the elaboration or straying is evident. Yet, this does reveal a root constant in how God was viewed, and it does not conflict with Synoptic points of view in this particular case. This also harks back to the mysticism of the Kabbalah. John is relevant to that genre.

#78) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Why have you come out to the desert? To see a reed shaken by the wind? And to see a person dressed in soft clothes, like your rulers and your powerful ones? They are dressed in soft [clothes], and they cannot understand truth.” (1;pg 16)

Matthew 11:7-9 And as these were going away, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.” (13B;pg 1276)

Luke 7:24-26 And the messengers of John having departed, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the desert to gaze on? A reed shaken and swayed by the wind? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed up in soft garments? Behold, those who wear fine apparel and live in luxury are in courts or 119 palaces of kings. What then did you go out to see? A prophet (a forthteller)? Yes, and I tell you, and far more than a prophet.” (47B;pg 1168-69)

Q24 ... After John’s disciples had departed, Jesus spoke to the crowds about John. “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Those who wear fine clothes live in luxury in royal palaces. But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you – and much more than a prophet. He is the one about whom it is written: ‘See, I send my messenger before you, he will prepare the road ahead of you.’ ...” (14B;pg 58) Note the affirmation of the prophetic in Christ’s statement about John’s prophecy from

Malachi 3:1 “Behold I send My messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, in whom You delight. Behold, He is coming says the Lord of Hosts.” (3B;pg 1370)

It is almost as though Christ is saying, “Well, knowing the Scripture, what did you expect?” Probably in response to remarks about John’s appearance and his scalding statements against the current ruling class and the Temple hierarchy. He even railed against Herod for taking his brother’s wife. John came prophesying and speaking of judgement. He drew a lot of attention, but I suspect he was not altogether popular, even in the more devout circles ... I believe he was looked upon as a madman who came delirious from the desert wearing camel hair and eating honey & locusts. He was not well understood, and probably frightening, as well, based on later passages about how the “crazy” were shunned and lived in deplorable conditions. Some who gathered probably expected a [freak] show in the vernacular, or what we would call today ... a sideshow or an oddity. Christ was turning the world upside down, inside out, and standing it on its head. Change no matter how desired can be frightening when it comes to pass.

Christ speaks to their fears and disbelief, which are also ours, and lends credence to John’s mission. He upholds John’s unwavering delivery of a very unpopular message by reminding the multitudes that they surely did not come out to see another bend to the winds of popular culture, and the desires of the Temple elite, or to the whim of an official sent by Rome. He came, straightaway, providing a clear and unshakable message about what was right and what was wrong, and what to do about it. I imagine that most drew on allegiance to one of two camps ... the believers who wanted and needed reassurance, and those who hoped to see another half-baked prophet remind them that commitment was a ruse and a vehicle for magic, and the picking of pockets ... the expected, the usual fare ... an excuse not to change their behavior. But John was vastly different, and so was this man/God who supported him: Jesus the Christ. This was the beginning of the end.

#79) (Coptic) A woman in the crowd said to him, “Lucky are the womb that bore you and the breasts that fed you.” He said to [her], “ Blessed are those who have heard the word of the Father and have truly kept it.

120 For there will be days when you will say, ‘ Blessed are the womb that has not conceived and the breasts that have not given milk.’” (1;pg 16)

Luke 11:27-28 And it came about while He said these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and the breasts at which you nursed. But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it.” (13B;pg 1367)

Luke 23:28-29 But Jesus turning to them said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, stop weeping for Me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming when they will say, ‘ Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.” (13B;pg 1391)

Blessed

Strong’s number: G3107 Transliteration: makarios Phonetic: mak-ar'-ee-os makarios

A prolonged form of the poetical makar makar (meaning the same); supremely blest; by extension fortunate, well off: - blessed, happy (X –ier).

Q40 As Jesus was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that gave birth to you and the breasts that nursed you.”

He replied, “ Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (14B;pg 74)

Keep (or Observe) Strong’s number: G5442 Transliteration: phulasso Phonetic: foo-las'-so 

Probably from G5443 through the idea of isolation; to watch, that is, be on guard (literally or figuratively); by implication to preserve. obey, avoid: - beware, keep (self), observe, save.

121 In other words ... You would be better off if you simply stopped before you subject more unwitting victims to this world’s hell ...

Blessed is the same intended application in all locations above.

This is a stern warning to heed what you have heard before it is too late.

In Luke 11 this woman’s attempt at praise and Christ’s curt response are on the heels of Him being questioned about casting out demons ans His monologue on a house divided. I suspect this is evidence of His growing weariness and all-too-human frustration. While the second part of Thomas’ singular passage was recorded in Luke 23 at the time when Simon of Cyrene was forced to carry Christ’s cross on the agonizing path (what is currently called Via Dolorosa or The Way of the Cross) to Golgotha. Interestingly these passages may have occurred weeks or even months apart.

Thomas creates a clean segue.

I have heard many times in the past 30 years, folks saying that the world is not fit to bring a child into .... with the AIDS virus, war, general economic stress and worldwide uncertainty and evident geologic and climate changes (to underline the fear ... add to that litany the recent terrorist events in the Middle east, Europe and the United States). The outlook has changed, I believe since the 1950's when there was an air of confidence and optimism ... a belief that the best was ahead. In America for sure, and for others who have experienced terror beyond belief, there is the strongly held precept that the best is behind us, and that we in for big, big trouble. Technology may actually be accelerating that process rather than thwarting it.

Note the similarity of this passage and the passage that follows from Luke when Mary visited Elizabeth and John leaped in her womb, after which she adored Mary by saying ...

Luke 1:41-2 ...and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.” (13B;pg 1458)

Undoubtedly, Christ is making a point about the sacred obligation we all have to keep the WORD in our hearts and to observe, or preserve and obey, it[Him] in praise of God. That “Word,” while not understood in mystical terms at the time of its original presentation, is in fact Jesus Himself as recorded in Genesis and by John in his Gospel. This colloquy is a method of calling out, or chastising, those who would dwell on the flesh, which is fragile and temporary in its life span, to admonish them ... to make a case for the transcendent nature of His Word and His trinitarian relationship to the Father. It is also to direct our attention away from the flesh alone as life-giving (as well as the old service of the laws) and to focus on God and the Spirit through Christ as the true giver of live that is never ending. It is no longer about the flesh, but a move to the nature of the spirit. This is also a shift away from the purely Hebrew (Temple Law and priestly status) 122 to a more Christian definition of that which is to be valued above all things, i.e. one’s spiritual condition as a determining factor for eternal life with or absent of God..

#80) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Whoever has come to know the world has discovered the body, and whoever has discovered the body, of that one the world is not worthy.” (1;pg 16)

AT: Yeshua said: Whoever knows the world discovers the body. But the world is unworthy of whoever discovers the body (63B;pg 45) Or ... whoever has come to understand the nature of the world (the beauty and temptation of the original fall) has discovered the true nature of the flesh ... and whoever understands that the fall of the flesh is inevitable has understood the division and the unity of the body and the spirit, and ... they are greater than the world ... they will rise above it to meet the Father in Christ Jesus. The flesh cries out to its own while the spirit cries out to the Father. There is no direct parallel in the Gospels, however, the doctrine is not unfamiliar. The world and the body have always been associated with, and often suggest, a decadence, an adversarial balance harking back to Adam & Eve in the Genesis “tree and fruit” episode. We still speak of the world and the spirit as separate levels or geo-cosmic locations … one to be in “and not of,” and the other “to embrace” as the [resting] place … our final relationship with God in His heavenly kingdom. Whether this is a place of rest in conventional terms is now clearly open to debate in Randy Alcorn’s new treatise entitled Heaven.

GOT 29, 7 and 56 that speak to knowing the world (that’s where we reside, yet with all of its darkness, it is ultimately good because it, too, is a blessing from God). But this residence is fraught with temptation that asks the flesh to betray, but would not have the same detrimental effect on the spirit if the pleasure seeking was satisfied in a transcendental fashion. This, I think, is the dichotomy and the paradox we address in our time on the planet. It is intentional and it keeps us on our guard, lest we become complacent in our walk.

GOT 29 says, “but if the spirit came into being because of the body.” Yet He marvels “at how this great wealth has come to dwell in this poverty.” GOT 7 says, “blessed is the lion that the man will eat, so that the lion becomes a man.” GOT 56 says, “Whoever has come to know the world has discovered a carcass.” (1)

The problem here, is the use of the word “body” and what that may refer to. Also, it would appear that in this passage, the discovery of the body is a positive thing, whereas in the above the body has a negative connotation. In my experience, discovering the corporeal body has both a positive and negative potential. The physical body of the individual has the well-known potential for dragging us into activities that have 123 significant consequences, whereas the discovery of the body of believers can have a very positive effect on the development of the individual morally and behaviorally.

Remember, the flesh is weak ... it is the seat of sin. It is the spirit that lives on, and is either blessed or cursed for eternity. When we discover a body or a carcass, we have happened upon something that is temporary or transient at the core of its very nature. It is by definition in the process of dying from the moment of its conception. Knowing the difference opens the door of understanding: leave your body behind. The spirit, conversely, is in the process of growing either in the direction of, or away from, God. It has the potential to be glorified or damned. Either way it is the lasting infinite version of self. It is what is bound to God by the very makeup of its substance, ethereal though it may be. Invest in the vision or die both physically and spiritually. That is the precise definition of hell, I believe.

1 Corinthians 6:19 “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit which are God’s.” (3B;pg 1626)

Philippians 3:21 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (13B;pg 157) I believe that discovering the body is the first step in uncovering just how much we need Christ. Until we discover the “carcass” we go about believing in the power of our own meager existence to alter all things. It is a form of institutionalized denial that allows us to formally, and categorically, deny our need for Him; and we are applauded by our fellows in coming to this state of supreme ignorance. In fact we depend upon Him to save us from ourselves ... the universe does not revolve around us, nor do we chart the course of anything. Yet, we are in control of absolutely nothing, and Satan has convinced us that the lie is real and the truth is a lie.

Body (from both Philippians & 1 Cor) Strong’s number: G4983 Transliteration: soma Phonetic: so'-mah ? Text: From G4982; the body (as a sound whole), used in a very wide application, literally or figuratively: - bodily, body, slave.

Thayer Definition:

124 1) the body both of men or animals 1a) a dead body or corpse 1b) the living body 1b1) of animals 2) the bodies of planets and of stars (heavenly bodies) 3) is used of a (large or small) number of men closely united into one society, or family as it were; a social, ethical, mystical body 3a) so in the NT of the church 4) that which casts a shadow as distinguished from the shadow itself

Matthew 26:26 And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” (3B;pg 1417) Refer 17 to 79 note the dissimilarity to 22; also see 112 that while not consistent probably had a core element that would have been articulated something like this ... “the soul that depends on the flesh for its sustenance is truly damned [to separation from the Father],” and it was, more than likely, not spoken alone but in the context of a broader statement about the eternity of the spiritual realm and the temporary nature of the flesh. It is unfortunate that personal agendas were as alive then as they are today. I am convinced that some of the sayings were contorted to support the interests of the later writers, despite how well-intended. So goes the parade we call the human condition. All the more reason to have the spirit of discernment regardless of the original language or the translation.

#81) (Coptic) Jesus said, “Let one who has become wealthy reign, and let one who has power renounce it.” (1:pg16)

AT: Yeshua said: Whoever has become rich, may he become king; whoever has power, may he renounce it. (63B;pg 45)