gospel of Thomas 33

Jesus said, "Preach from your housetops that which you will hear in your ear. For no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel, nor does he put it in a hidden place, but rather he sets it on a lampstand, so that everyone who enters and leaves will see its light."

In this saying from the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus is talking about preaching. Some of his disciples must have had at least glimpses of the truth. They were reaching that stage where it would be valid for them to go and teach others; at least to carry something of the air of enlightenment, if only a hint; to begin to attract other people into the path.

And this is a strange stage for the disciple. So far, it's been easy. The disciple has just showed up, hanging around the master – in this case Jesus – listening to his teachings, trying to put into action whatever Jesus suggests in the way of discipline. But that's all easy compared to teaching.

Whilst one is purely pursuing the spiritual path for oneself, then one need not worry at all about the reaction of others. They need not know about it. It can all be a private endeavour. But to preach is to go public. It's really to declare one's beliefs, and show to others what one has become. And in a way, nobody wants to do this, because with the spiritual path, the ego dissolves away. The ego is what usually drives us to impress other people. And with that gone, the motivation is totally different.

Only through compassion – wanting others to also find their own truth – through that compassion, we might begin to preach. But it feels strange, for nothing can be put into words. Indeed, the words usually get in the way. But nevertheless, there is a role for teaching, for preaching. One's energy can begin to light up other people. One's energy can begin to stir their own flame into action.

So Jesus says, preach from your housetops, that which you will hear in your ear. In other words, that which you want to hear from your own master – now you've already reached the stage where you know it for yourself. You know something of the truth. Shout it from your housetop. Don't be all shy. But really, go out into the world and spread this message.

Jesus goes on, no one lights a lamp and puts it under a bushel. A bushel is a large container. In other words, we don't light a lamp, then hide it. Nor does he put it in a hidden place. No. Once we have lit a lamp, we put it on a lampstand. We put it where it can be seen by everyone.

This is, of course, an analogy. The disciples are beginning to realise the truth. Something is becoming real in them. And it is to be seen by others, not hidden away. This is what Jesus is encouraging in his disciples, in this verse.

And you too, if you have reached the stage of your spiritual journey where things are becoming real for you, then I urge you too: go out and encourage others. And in the beginning, we need such encouragement. So you can help, help in the world. But not if you hide your light under a bushel.