Chapter 4: Exploring the Nature of Matter and the Concept of Sin
In this pivotal chapter, The Gospel of Mary Magdalene invites us to re-examine our ideas about the material world and the nature of sin. Here, we find Mary asking Yeshua if matter will one day be destroyed. The answer she receives offers a radical perspective—one that shifts our understanding of creation, purpose, and interconnectedness. In many ways, Mary’s question and Yeshua’s answer serve as an opening to the deeper wisdom this gospel holds, unveiling a view of existence that is as practical as it is profound.
22) The Savior said, All nature, all formations, all creatures exist in and with one another, and they will be resolved again into their own roots.
23) For the nature of matter is resolved into the roots of its own nature alone.
24) He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
Yeshua’s response emphasizes a deep truth: “All nature, all formations, all creatures exist in and with one another and will be resolved again into their own roots.” These words suggest that every aspect of creation, even matter itself, is interwoven, returning to its origin rather than disappearing. This view holds that we, too, are part of this cycle—connected to the roots of existence, to an origin that is eternal and undivided.
This is a striking contrast to traditional doctrines that often separate the spiritual from the material, viewing the physical world as something lesser, even sinful. But Mary’s gospel invites us to see that all things, including matter, are sacred expressions of Consciousness, each with a unique purpose in the grand tapestry of creation.
Matter and the Journey of the Soul
At the core of this teaching is the idea that matter, far from being an obstacle, is part of the soul’s journey. Through matter, we experience life, emotions, desires, and everything that defines our human journey. Matter, then, becomes a vehicle for consciousness—a way for us to explore the question, “Who am I?”
Yeshua’s response reminds us that nothing in creation is random or accidental. Each form, each experience, has its purpose, and all things will eventually return to their origins. This means that, in essence, we are already whole; there is no ultimate separation between the spiritual and the material. This echoes the realization that “I Am That I Am” is not just a spiritual truth but a lived experience, embodied in every aspect of our lives.
Rethinking Sin as Self-Created
The concept of sin is redefined in this chapter, moving away from the idea of an external judgment and toward a recognition of self-imposed limitations. When Peter asks Yeshua “What is the sin of the world?” the response is revolutionary: “There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do things that are like the nature of adultery.”
Here, adultery is not a literal act but a metaphor for self-betrayal—acting in ways that are contrary to our true nature. Sin, then, is not a divine punishment but a product of our own choices when we forget our innate wisdom. It’s a reminder that we are not here to be judged or to judge ourselves; rather, we are here to live authentically, to honor our essence, and to let go of beliefs that separate us from Divine truth.
Yeshua adds, “That is why the Good came into your midst, to restore all nature to its root.” In this view, the purpose of Yeshua’s teachings is not to condemn but to remind us of our original, unblemished nature and to help us restore that Realization.
The Journey of Realization
This chapter also speaks to the unity of all things, suggesting that everything we experience is part of a greater whole. When Yeshua says, “All creatures exist in and with one another,” it emphasizes a profound inter-connectedness—a truth that, when fully realized, helps us understand our place within the greater fabric of life. In this way, sin is not an act of defiance but a state of forgetting; it is what happens when we believe we are separate from our Divine origin.
This Realization process is not at all about achieving perfection. It is about remembering and allowing our true nature. In The New Gnostic, we often speak of Awakening and Realization as journeys of self-discovery and self-acceptance. Chapter 4 of Mary’s gospel reminds us that returning to our essence is not about accumulating knowledge or purging sin but about allowing ourselves to realize we are whole, to know that we are already complete.
Allowing, Breath, and Returning to Wholeness
As we navigate this return to our roots, conscious breath becomes a tool for reconnecting with ourselves. Conscious breathing, as we explore it in The New Gnostic, is a way of allowing—a gentle reminder of our Divine nature. When we breathe consciously, we create space for awareness, for the knowledge that every aspect of us—human and divine, material and spiritual—is intertwined.
This journey back to wholeness is a choice to let go all that distracts us from remembering. It’s about allowing and receiving rather than achieving. When we choose to breathe, we are actively participating in our own process of integration, trusting that we will return to our roots, as Yeshua describes. And in doing so, we allow ourselves to let go of the beliefs and judgments that keep us in separation.
A Call to Remember
Chapter 4 reminds us that, ultimately, we are each part of a great cycle of creation, dissolution, and return. Sin, in Mary’s gospel, is not a condition but a choice—a state of forgetting our origin. By remembering and embracing our inter-connectedness with all things, we dissolve the sense of separation and open ourselves to wholeness.
As we move through this journey of awakening, may we keep these words close: “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” The message is simple but powerful. Awakening is about listening—listening to the Wisdom that lives within us, trusting that all things will be resolved in their own time.
So, dear friends, may this exploration of Mary’s gospel inspire you to see beyond the constraints of separation, inviting you to reconnect with your Divine roots. Let this be a reminder to return, time and again, to that place within where you know, “I Am That I Am.”