Thomas Gospel of Love

Bible Matters 526: Thomas Gospel of Love

Thomas was not in the Passover hall, the first week, after God rose Jesus from the dead.  Thomas did not believe that Jesus had rose from the dead and made a witness to his followers.   On Jesus’s second visit, Jesus told Thomas to feel his scars. 

John 20:24-29 – But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.  The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.  And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.  Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Thomas traveled to India preaching the gospel of Love that Jesus delivered.  Thomas did not compile a gospel or testimony of his walk with Jesus.   His gospel consists of sayings or verses that Jesus shared.  Some of these verses bear witness to verses quoted by other New Testament witnesses.  The following verses are taken from, “The Gospel of Thomas” by Mark M. Mattison.  This translation has been committed to the public domain and may be freely copied and used, changed or unchanged, for any purpose. It is based on the Coptic text of Nag Hammadi Codex II, 2.

Like the other eight New Testament witnesses, Thomas’s verses include those that compile the six point gospel of Love. 

Let’s review Thomas’s verses on God’s gospel of Love. 

• Believe in one God – the spirit, who no one has ever seen.

Saying 15: Worship – Jesus said, “When you see the one who wasn’t born of a woman, fall down on your face and worship that person. That’s your Father.

• Repent of your sins and surrender to God – Do not let sin rule your life.

Saying 28: The World is Drunk – Jesus said, “I stood in the middle of the world and appeared to them in the flesh. I found them all drunk; I didn’t find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they were blind in their hearts and couldn’t see. They came into the world empty and plan on leaving the world empty. Meanwhile, they’re drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they’ll change.”

Saying 2: Seek and Find – Jesus said, “Whoever seeks shouldn’t stop until they find. When they find, they’ll be disturbed. When they’re disturbed, they’ll be […] amazed, and reign over the All.”

Saying 3: Seeking Within – Jesus said, “If your leaders tell you, ‘Look, the kingdom is in heaven,’ then the birds of heaven will precede you. If they tell you, ‘It’s in the sea,’ then the fish will precede you. Rather, the kingdom is within you and outside of you.  “When you know yourselves, then you’ll be known, and you’ll realize that you’re the children of the living Father. But if you don’t know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty.”

• Judge no one – Judge your pure walk against God’s word. 

Saying 26: Speck and Beam – Jesus said, “You see the speck that’s in your brother’s eye, but you don’t see the beam in your own eye. When you get the beam out of your own eye, then you’ll be able to see clearly to get the speck out of your brother’s eye.”

Matthew and Luke, both gave testimony of Jesus telling you not to judge one another. 

Matthew 7:3 – And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but consider not the beam that is in thine own eye?

Luke 6:41 – And why behold thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but perceive not the beam that is in thine own eye?

God loves all his children as equal.  Thomas’s testimony of Jesus talking to Peter made this absolutely clear. 

Saying 114: Peter and Mary – Simon Peter said to them, “Mary should leave us, because women aren’t worthy of life.”  Jesus said, “Look, am I to make her a man? So that she may become a living spirit too, she’s equal to you men, because every woman who makes herself manly will enter the kingdom of heaven.”

• Love God – Pray, do good and turn from sin.  Your walk will be your testimony.

Saying 24: Light – His disciples said, “Show us the place where you are, because we need to look for it.”  He said to them, “Anyone who has ears to hear should hear! Light exists within a person of light, and they light up the whole world. If they don’t shine, there’s darkness.”

• Love your Neighbor – Your rewards by showing love of neighbor will earn you more than all your religious works.

Saying 25: Love and Protect – Jesus said, “Love your brother as your own soul. Protect them like the pupil of your eye.”

Saying 95: Giving Money – [Jesus said], “If you have money, don’t lend it at interest. Instead, give [it to] someone from whom you won’t get it back.”

• Doeth the will of God unto eternal life.  Jesus made it clear that those that know, understand and live God’s gospel of Love will never see death.

Saying 1: True Meaning – And he said, “Whoever discovers the meaning of these sayings won’t taste death.”

Believe that God has a plan for you.  Have faith and worship only God.  Enjoy God’s kingdom on earth that is already present.

Saying 113: The Kingdom is Already Present – His disciples said to him, “When will the kingdom come?”  “It won’t come by looking for it. They won’t say, ‘Look over here!’ or ‘Look over there!’ Rather, the Father’s kingdom is already spread out over the earth, and people don’t see it.”

  Do not be deceived.  God is looking as women and men, to serve equally in his kingdom.  God is looking for you to go live God’s gospel of Love.    

To God be the glory in all you do, Amen.