gospel of Thomas 104

They said to Jesus, "Come, let us pray today and let us fast."

Jesus said, "What is the sin that I have committed, or wherein have I been defeated? But when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber, then let them fast and pray."

In the time of Jesus, and to some extent nowadays, people would pray if they felt they had done something wrong, committed a sin. And they might also fast, that is, stop eating for a while. And also if, in war or some struggle between neighbours, one side is defeated – they may also pray to God in such circumstances, for a better deal in future, to win next time round.

So when the disciples were saying to Jesus, come, let us pray and fast, perhaps it was a special day set aside for such things. But the response from Jesus is very telling: what is the sin I have committed? For one who has become one with God, there is no sin. It doesn't matter what strange acts are coming forth through such a person. He or she knows that he is not committing a sin. There is no sin. It is all the will of God, manifesting, so it is impossible to sin. So Jesus knows that he is without sin.

Or wherein have I been defeated? Also, once one has surrendered to God, where can there be defeat? One no longer exists. One has been defeated by God perhaps; but now there is only God, and how can God be defeated? It is not possible.

So Jesus is saying for him at least, to pray or fast is meaningless, is not necessary.

But Jesus goes on, when the bridegroom leaves the bridal chamber, then let them fast and pray. The bridegroom is God. But it's also, Jesus: God incarnate. And when he leaves the bridal chamber, when he goes away – when Jesus dies, or if God were to abandon us – then we're in trouble.

Until that point, everything is inconsequential. It doesn't matter what troubles are coming in our life; it is of no significance. It's no big deal. The only thing that's important is our spirituality. And as long as that is alive and healthy, all is well. But when that goes, when we lose touch with God, then we are in serious trouble. That's the time to pray and fast.

This is what Jesus is saying. He's reminding us of what is important. Not these petty sins and guilt, not this defeat, or the fights, the arguments with neighbours. All that is inconsequential trivia. There's only one thing that matters, and that is meeting God; surrendering to all that is; melting away into existence.

And look at the analogy that Jesus is using: the bridegroom and the bridal chamber. What happens in the bridal chamber? The bride opens herself and allows herself to be penetrated by the bridegroom. The bridegroom is existence, is God. And we, the seekers, are the bride. And as long as we are in the bridal chamber, as long as we're in that state of opening, of surrender, of accepting, yielding, allowing ourself to be penetrated, then all is well.

If we are standing in nature – as I am just now – if we can allow ourself to be penetrated by the rocks, by the trees, by the song of the birds, by the thunder, and the distant hills, the clouds, the wind in the trees; if we open ourself, all of this penetrates us, and we are one with it. This is existence. And we are that. And as long as we are opening, as long as we are in that state of surrender, all is well; all is well; all is well.