Thomas, Saying 38

Friday, June 14, 2019

Jesus said: You often wanted to hear the words I am speaking to you. You have no one else from whom you can hear them. The days will come when you will seek me and you will not be able to find me.

5:50 a.m. Saying 38 seems self-explanatory, but must be included in the Sayings for some reason. What am I missing?

It is in three parts, not one. Look at it (look at anything, for that matter) more closely, more carefully, and you will see more, just as with the process of sinking into hieroglyphs.

All right. One, they have wanted what he provides. Two, he is the only source they have. Three, he won’t be there forever.

And the previous Saying?

He will appear to them when they strip off personality and approach him in essence.

Well, not quite, though mostly. He will approach them, or they will approach him.

I see the nuance. They aren’t passive recipients.

So, putting the four ingredients together?

They need to come to essence to see him. He provides what they have wanted, and he is their only source, but he won’t be in 3D forever and – I just noticed – this may also mean that even seeking him essence to essence, they may be unable to find him. Not sure that is what is intended, but it seems a possible reading.

So you see, a little more there than meets the casual eye.

Yes.

So what is it that they sought and could not find, before Jesus?

Well, you know, I had slid over that too. I assumed it meant access to non-3D, but it could mean many things. You tell us.

No, what did being in the presence of Jesus provide them that they had sought and not found? What words?

You have said he came to provide clarity on our place in the 3D and non-3D.

He taught, you will remember, “as one who has authority” rather than merely explicating scriptures.

“You wanted to hear these words.” They wanted the clarity he provided.

What’s wrong with the word “guidance”?

Say some more about that?

The disciples weren’t necessarily hungry for abstract theory, nor even explanations of abstract relationships. They weren’t all unlettered fishermen, but they weren’t looking for an outdoor university, either. Jesus provided something unique, something not to be found elsewhere. What was it?

I think of the intangible but definite effect of being in the presence of a master.

Let’s say, being in the presence allows one to function at a higher level. Being at that higher level, one can perceive and understand and absorb and be transformed by what otherwise one cannot.

And so it was up to them to be transformed while he was still in 3D, or the chance would be gone.

Well and good, as far as it goes, but why would that be taught after he was gone? Wouldn’t the message by implication discourage those who hadn’t had that opportunity?

Not if the disciples teaching it were able to do for their followers what the presence of Jesus had done for them. And this would have been after Pentecost, which changed things.

Very good. After the spirit came to permanently indwell in the disciples, Jesus being gone from 3D existence for good and all, it was that indwelling presence that could from that time be available to one and all who sought it and had capacity to accept it. And this would have been the understood background of this teaching.

You may proceed to the next, or rest here for the moment.

I think I’d pause. Thanks as always.