Mysticism & Gospel of Thomas – No. 40 – From Eternal Life

Verse - From Eternal Life

Jesus said, "A vine planted outside the Father is not strong enough; it will be taken by the root and pulled up."

Comment

Thomas only gives a part of Christ's words about the vine. The whole word can be found in John, in the farewell speech in which Jesus says:

I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he will prune so that it will bear more fruit. Abide in me, as I in you. As the branch does not bear fruit of itself, so do not abide in the vine, unless you abide in me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing. He who does not abide in me is cast out like a branch and withers, and they gather them and throw them into the fire.

Again, Christ points out that we produce the fruit of life to the extent that we remain conscious of the everlasting presence of Christ in us and live from him - and thus from the eternal. Then God will purify us, i.e. enlighten us. The inner light flares up in us and the abundance of strength and wisdom flows out of us, so that we bear ever more fruit. Without Christ in us we can accomplish nothing; with him everything.

But for those who think they are strong in themselves, in their ego, Christ's last words apply, which Matthew quotes as follows: All plants that my heavenly Father did not plant will be rooted out. Whoever does not allow himself to be guided by the divine self will accomplish nothing and, because he is barren, will miss the goal of his life. The following saying expresses the same idea.