The Hidden Teachings of Jesus

The crazy story of the resurrection of the “Dead Sea Scrolls”

The year was 1945. World War II had just ended when an Egyptian farmer named Muhammed al-Samman struck gold not in the form of coins, but ancient manuscripts.

While digging for fertilizer around the village of Nag Hammadi, Muhammed unearthed a buried 1,000 year-old clay jar.

Inside the vessel were 13 leather-bound papyrus books containing over 50 texts dating back to the first centuries A.D.

This incredible discovery would go on to shake up Biblical scholarship.

Among the volumes was the Gospel of Thomas – a collection of 114 sayings attributed to Jesus.

Unlike the canonical gospels focusing on Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, the Gospel of Thomas contains his direct teachings and valuable parables.

But how did these precious documents end up buried for safekeeping outside this village for over 1,400 years?

It is believed a monk buried the texts when the Roman church declared them heretical, threatening their destruction.

Against all odds, they endured unknown for millennia only to reemerge in the 20th century. (What a time to be alive friends!)

This astonishing discovery provided a rare window into diverse early Christian movements and teachings later suppressed by the church.

The Gospel of Thomas revealed metaphysical and mystical undercurrents within Christianity before rigid orthodoxy set in.

Several sayings in Thomas echo the wisdom found in the canonical gospels, but with a twist that invites introspection and inner transformation. Others are unique, providing fresh perspectives on Jesus’ spiritual insights and understanding of the divine.

Let’s Dive into some of the Sayings

The gospel starts in an epic kind of way:

• (1) And he (Jesus) said, “Whoever finds the interpretation of these sayings will not experience death.”
  

• (2) Jesus said, "Let him who seeks continue seeking until he finds. When he finds, he will become troubled. When he becomes troubled, he will be astonished, and he will rule over the All.
   

• (3) Jesus said,

  If those who lead you say to you:
  See, the 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 kingdom is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty and it is you who are that poverty."
  

• (6) Jesus said, Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate, for all things are plain in the sight of heaven. For nothing hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered.
  

• (18) The disciples said to Jesus, "Tell us how our end will be." Jesus said, "Have you discovered, then, the beginning, that you look for the end? For where the beginning is, there will the end be. Blessed is he who will take his place in the beginning – he will know the end and will not experience death."
  

• (77) Jesus said:
  It is I who am the light which is above them all. It is I who am the all. From me did the all come forth, and unto me did the all extend. Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift up the stone, and you will find me there."
  

• (113) His disciples said to him, "When will the kingdom come?"
  "It will not come by waiting for it. It will not be a matter of saying 'here it is' or 'there it is.' Rather, the kingdom of the father is spread out upon the earth, and men do not see it."

If you want to read the gospel yourself (it’s just 12 pages long) here is a link to a PDF: https://www.marquette.edu/maqom/Gospel%20of%20Thomas%20Lambdin.pdf

A possible interpretation of the Gospel of Thomas:

Jesus' teachings in the Gospel of Thomas emphasize the importance of self-awareness and understanding of the divine within and around us.

The sayings encourage individuals to seek truth, embrace honesty, and acknowledge the pervasive presence of the divine in all aspects of life.

Understanding the beginning and the end, recognizing the Kingdom of God within, and realizing the omnipresence of the divine are pivotal to spiritual enlightenment and eternal life.

The Gospel of Thomas opens a window to Jesus’ profound and often enigmatic wisdom, inviting every seeker to explore and ponder the depths of these teachings.

Whether you're a spiritual seeker or a curious reader, Thomas’ Gospel is a rich, thought-provoking text that beckons exploration and reflection.