“That is why He loved her more than us. Rather, let us be ashamed and put on the Perfect Man, and separate as He commanded us and preach the gospel, not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.”

–Gospel of Mary Magdalene, Fragment 9

There are moments in spiritual history where truth cuts deeper than any sword. This is one of them.

In this forgotten passage, the disciples are arguing— again. But this time, it’s not about who is the greatest. It’s about whether Mary Magdalene, the one Jesus loved dearly, could possibly be trusted with His hidden teachings.

Some doubted her. Some were jealous. Others simply couldn’t understand how someone so overlooked by the world could be so deeply seen by the Savior.

And then comes the rebuke— not from Jesus, but from one of their own.

“That is why He loved her more than us.”

Not because she was more holy. Not because she was more perfect. But because she listened, received, and loved Him without fear.

She didn’t posture. She didn’t argue. She didn’t try to fit His teachings into systems or traditions.

She simply recognized the Voice of God when He spoke.

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Let Us Be Ashamed

“Rather, let us be ashamed.”

Not ashamed in the sense of guilt, but in the spirit of repentance.

Ashamed of our spiritual pride. Ashamed that we let hierarchy, theology, and ego silence voices that God had raised up.

The humility in this moment is striking.

What if the Church had followed that humility?

What if, instead of building walls and doctrines, we had clothed ourselves in the likeness of Christ, the Perfect Man?

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Separate as He Commanded Us

“…and separate as He commanded us…”

To separate does not mean to isolate. It means to consecrate.

To step away from the systems that twist the Gospel into power.

To walk differently. To think differently. To love like we’ve been loved— extravagantly, undeservedly, eternally.

It is to choose the narrow path, not of religion, but of relationship.

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Preach Only What He Said

“…not laying down any other rule or other law beyond what the Savior said.”

How much of modern Christianity is built on what Jesus never said?

He never said to shame the broken. He never said to gatekeep grace. He never said women couldn’t speak, or sinners couldn’t be healed, or outcasts couldn’t lead.

He said: Love one another.

He said: The Kingdom of God is within you.

He said: Come to me, all who are weary…

That’s the Gospel. That’s the message. That’s the only law that matters.

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Closing Reflection:

Maybe it’s time we join the disciples in this confession:

“He loved her more than us…”

Maybe it’s time we let go of control, strip off the layers of performance, and simply put on Christ.

The rest— traditions, systems, debates, pride— can be left behind in the ashes.

Because the Gospel doesn’t need additions— or deletions.

It only needs to be lived.