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Good guy

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I always wondered why, when Jesus identifies Judas Iscariot as a betrayer (John, 13:26), that the other disciples didn't just grab Judas to prevent such a deed. Instead Jesus tells Judas "That thou doest, do quickly". Perhaps Judas was not the traitor that he has been made out to be, but rather, one of the most misunderstood men in history.

With the new information revealed from the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hamadi papyri, Judas just may have had an entirely different role than usually ascribed to him.

Christianity is founded on the principle that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected on the third day after his burial. But how did this death come about?

At the Last Supper Jesus knows what is in store for him. In the Gospel of Luke (22: 16 18) he announces to the disciples that he will not eat nor drink with them until the kingdom of God shall come. There are parties that will take action that leads to his death.

The priests were opposed to him, but could only punish him if he was found to be a heretic, which they could not do. They hoped that the Romans would punish Jesus, but the Romans could only do so if he were found to be a traitor to the state. The priests decided to arrest Jesus, but needed to know where he was and when he would be there. Thus they employed Judas to lead them to Jesus.

A new interpretation is emerging of Judas' role. This interpretation is that Judas was told by Jesus to turn him in so that the events that led to the crucifixion could happen. This new approach casts Judas in a different light. His "betrayal" was in fact a necessary step to establish the following happenings which are the crux of Christianity. Judas carried out his mission knowing that he would be the most hated man in history, but nevertheless, as a necessary component of events that were to unfold.

New information suggest that rather than being evil, or the "bad guy", he was in fact a vital part of the Lord's will that led to the auspicious events that followed.

Learn more about this author, Lorne Yacuk.
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