We seem to be drowning in a sea of information pushed out through today's media: newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, internet, and social media. It is difficult not to feel overwhelmed by this assault that attempts to install 'the message' in our minds. The obvious irony is that I'm using this medium as a channel for Jesus' message in the Gospel of Thomas.
When Jesus walked this earth the vast majority of people could not read or write. Roman notices, news, laws, taxes, etc. were always proclaimed so individuals had to listen and remember. Naturally each individual would take away their own understanding of what they heard. To avoid any misunderstanding meant that important information would be presented in a memorable form, hence reliance on stories and parables to give and reinforce the message.
Despite this approach many messages especially those that were complex by their very nature, were open to different interpretations. For example, the NT Gospels are not the same even though the 'authors' heard the same words; each has a different focus and interpretation. This shows that no single interpretation can pretend to "contain the Word", because "it is the Truth, but not all of it."
The Gospel of Thomas is the record of the Teachings of Jesus remembered and interpreted by the disciple Thomas and probably recorded by a scribe. There are 114 logia containing many 'messages' from Jesus to us which we personally have to interpret and understand. This leads us to consider the question: what is the key message that Jesus wanted us to remember in this Gospel?
Each of us may choose a different message that resonates with us at any particular time. For myself I suggest that two words lie at the heart of Jesus' Teaching described by Thomas:
Become yourselves...#42
Given the many possible interpretations of these two words I can only offer you mine: "Come to be your True Selves"
Come: Jesus asks us to be active in our seeking.
Come to me, for easy is my yoke and my lordship is gentle, and you shall find Repose for yourselves. #90
We cannot expect to deepen our spiritual life without effort. For some it truly takes physical effort to overcome those barriers that keep us from the Divine.
He drew the sword in his house, he struck it through th wall in order to be assured that his hand would be confident. Then he slew the giant #98
For others is the slow maturing of the spirit on our own life's journey.
The Kingdom is like a woman who was carrying a jar full of flour while walking along a long road; the handle of the jar broke the flour streamed out behind her on the road. As she did not know it she could not be troubled by it. When she had reached her house she put the jar on the ground; she found it empty #97
Sometimes we need t be active whilst at other times we need to be reflective and patient.
To Be: Jesus reference to little children reminds us of the true nature of our being.
The man old in days will not hesitate to ask a little child of seven days about the Place of Life, and he will live… #4
Such a child at that age 'just is'; we can only speculate what are their experiences and view of the world. Of course this is true for every individual no matter the age!
Actual living and life itself crowds our minds so much that we leave no space for just being; to be that little child. We need to go beyond our mind and thoughts to change our Knowing.
True Self: Each of us is a unique realization of the Divine. We need to be true to our own spirit. There is no need to compare one’s self with others. Our uniqueness makes this impossible -- apples cannot be compared to oranges.
Jesus said to his disciples: Make a comparison to me and tell me whom I resemble. #13
Answers ranged from a righteous angel, a wise man, a philosopher, to Thomas’ inability to say that Jesus resembled anyone. We are ourselves and there are no other like us. When we know ourselves then we will be known by the Divine.
Should we stray from this key message we need to return to the gospel of Thomas:
Words cannot explain however, the joy and happiness that we will experience when we join with the Divine.