The Life of Jesus as an Acted Parable: The Gospel of Philip

 **The Life of Jesus as an Acted Parable: The Gospel of Philip**

In exploring the depth of Jesus' actions and the events of His life, we come to understand them not only as historical events but as sacred symbols, or "acted parables," that reveal profound truths about the process of redemption and spiritual transformation. One such exploration is the saying in the *Gospel of Philip*, a text found in the Nag Hammadi library, which reflects on the mysteries surrounding Jesus' earthly life. The key passage from the *Gospel of Philip* states: “The Lord [did] everything in a sacred secret: a baptism, an anointing, a eucharist, a redemption, and a bridal chamber.” This statement reveals the spiritual and symbolic nature of Jesus' actions, transforming ordinary rituals into profound images of divine truth and redemption.

To begin, let us examine the term "did" in this passage. The use of the past tense is significant, as it reflects on Jesus' earthly actions as historical events that have deeper, spiritual meanings. These actions are not just external events but are seen as rites that have symbolic and transformative power. The "sacred secret" mentioned here implies that the true meaning of these actions was hidden or veiled, accessible only through spiritual understanding. This idea is further clarified when the *Gospel* states that Jesus "came to make the lower like the upper, and the outer like the inner, and to unite them in that place.” In other words, Jesus’ actions bridged the divide between heaven and earth, the physical and the spiritual, the visible and the invisible.

### **Baptism: The Beginning of Redemption**  

Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist is an active parable of spiritual cleansing and renewal. Though sinless, Jesus submitted to baptism, identifying with humanity’s need for redemption. At His baptism, the heavens opened, and the Holy Spirit descended like a dove, accompanied by the Father’s voice proclaiming, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

This moment was not only a public affirmation of Jesus’ mission but also a symbolic enactment of the new creation. Through baptism, Jesus demonstrated the path toward union with God, inviting His followers to participate in this sacred mystery.

### **Anointing: The Consecration of the Messiah**  

Following His baptism, Jesus was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit. This anointing marked Him as the Messiah (the “Anointed One”) and empowered Him for His earthly ministry. The *Gospel of Philip*’s mention of anointing highlights its sacred and secret nature, signifying divine authority and purpose.

Anointing in biblical tradition symbolizes consecration, setting apart for a holy task. In Jesus’ case, His anointing fulfilled the prophecies of Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor” (Luke 4:18). This acted parable points to the spiritual anointing believers receive through the Holy Spirit, enabling them to participate in God’s work.

### **The Passover Meal and the Eucharist**  

During the Last Supper, Jesus shared the Passover meal with His disciples, transforming it into a prophetic act pointing to the Eucharist. He took the bread and wine, declaring, “This is my body... this is my blood” (Matthew 26:26-28). This act, known as the breaking of bread, is a symbolic representation of communion with the divine rather than a literal consumption of Christ's body and blood.

For Gnostics, including the perspective reflected in the *Gospel of Philip*, the Eucharist is understood symbolically, emphasizing spiritual participation rather than physical ritual. According to the *Gospel of Philip*, “His flesh is the word, and His blood is the Holy Spirit.” This interpretation aligns with the spiritual view of the rituals where the physical elements of bread and wine are prototypes or symbols of heavenly realities.

The Apostle Paul also reflects on this spiritual understanding, stating, “Flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Corinthians 15:50). This suggests that physical flesh and blood are transient, while the spiritual essence—the Word and the Holy Spirit—are eternal and transformative. By receiving the Word (the flesh of Christ) and the Holy Spirit (the blood of Christ), believers partake in true spiritual nourishment, gaining food, drink, and clothing for their souls.

The *Gospel of Philip* echoes this deeper spiritual meaning, interpreting Jesus’ declaration in John 6:53—“He who shall not eat my flesh and drink my blood has not life in him”—as an invitation to embrace the Word and the Spirit. Thus, the Eucharist becomes a sacred mystery that transcends the physical realm, offering a profound connection to the divine life. Through this symbolic participation, believers are united with Christ and equipped for the journey toward eternal communion with God.

### **Redemption: Liberation Through Sacrifice**  

The concept of redemption lies at the heart of Jesus’ mission. His death on the cross is the ultimate act of liberation, freeing humanity from sin and death. However, the process of Jesus’ own redemption reveals a profound truth about His humanity. The *Gospel of Philip* identifies redemption as one of the sacred secrets Jesus performed, highlighting its spiritual depth and significance.

Hebrews 5:7 portrays Jesus’ journey toward redemption, stating, “He offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, and was heard for His piety.” This verse reveals that Jesus, in His humanity, cried out to God for salvation from death, demonstrating His complete reliance on the Father. The fact that Jesus needed to plead with God to save Him from death underscores His full participation in human vulnerability and dependence on divine grace. It also challenges the notion of Jesus being God in person, emphasizing His role as the mediator between God and humanity.

Romans 6:9-10 further illuminates this truth, stating, “Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him. For in that He died, He died unto sin once: but in that He liveth, He liveth unto God.” These verses imply that prior to His resurrection, death did have dominion over Jesus, but His triumph over the grave marked the end of that dominion. Through His resurrection, Jesus achieved the ultimate redemption—not only for humanity but also for Himself, as He was saved from death by the power of God.

This sacred act of redemption is not merely a historical event but an ongoing spiritual reality. By entering into His death and resurrection, believers participate in the transformative power of God’s grace. Jesus’ redemption serves as a living parable of the divine process of salvation, inviting humanity to move from bondage to freedom and from death to eternal life.

These scriptures reveal the profound truth that Jesus’ redemption was not only for others but also an experience He underwent as part of His humanity. His prayers, tears, and ultimate victory over death symbolize the path of every believer: a journey from dependence on God to ultimate union with Him in glory. Through this sacred secret, Jesus opened the way for all to experience the fullness of God’s transformative power.

### **The Bridal Chamber: Union with God**  

The *Gospel of Philip* speaks of the bridal chamber as the culmination of Jesus’ sacred secrets. This imagery points to the ultimate union between Christ and His Church, symbolizing the believer’s intimate relationship with God.

In biblical thought, the bridal chamber represents the Holy of Holies—the innermost sanctuary where God’s presence dwells. By entering this sacred space, Jesus opened the way for believers to experience the fullness of God’s glory. This acted parable invites believers to journey inward, uniting the “lower” with the “upper” and the “outer” with the “inner,” as Jesus proclaimed.

### **Sacred Secrets and Spiritual Realities**  

The *Gospel of Philip* emphasizes that Jesus’ actions were not merely external rituals but symbolic acts revealing spiritual truths. “Truth did not come into the world naked. Rather it came in prototypes and images, for the world will not receive it in any other form” (67:9-12). These acted parables teach that external forms are shadows of heavenly realities, guiding believers toward spiritual understanding.

Jesus’ life is a testimony to the divine plan of redemption, revealed through sacred secrets. By participating in these acted parables—baptism, anointing, Eucharist, redemption, and the bridal chamber—believers are invited to enter into the mystery of God’s transformative love. Through these sacred acts, the lower becomes like the upper, and the outer like the inner, uniting heaven and earth in Christ.