| Secret Sayings | ||
| About
1900, two Oxford professors went to Oxyrhynchus in Upper Egypt to search
for treasure among the ancient tombs. In the course of their excavation,
they found alarge, subterranean room filled with thousands of stuffed
crocodiles. By accident, one of the crocodiles was dropped and split open.
Inside was found papyrii with writing on Christian and many other
subjects. The Oxyrhynchus fragments were later dated to about the
same time as the New Testament autographs!
He who has found the meaning of these words (of Jesus in the Gospel of Thomas) will not experience death. The one who is far from you today will be near tomorrow. The splinter that is in your brother's eye you see; but the beam that is in your own eye you cannot. When you pull the beam out of your eye, then you may see clearly enough to remove your brother's splinter. If you do not fast as to the things of this world, you will not find the kingdom of Yahweh. If you do not keep the Sabbath, you will not see the Father. Jesus says: A prophet is not acceptable in his own country, neither does a doctor cure those who know him well. The Pharisees have obtained the keys of the kingdom, but they have hidden them. They do not go in themselves, and they do not allow those in who desire to go. But you, be wise as serpents and meek as doves. The scribes, the Pharisees, and the priests were angry when they saw that Jesus reclined at the table with sinners. Jesus heard of their anger and said: The healthy do not need a doctor. Pray for your enemies. The one who is not against you is for you. The one who is today far away will be near you tomorrow. His disciples asked him, When will we again be able to see you? He said, When you have undressed and are not ashamed. |