| | | | | all and therefore it is 'good news'. |
| Over the centuries, Christianity has portrayed Judas | | | | We all celebrated the Millennium preparing a long time |
| as the betrayer -- the disciple who took the thirty | | | | for the big occasion; but do we know why we had |
| pieces of silver from the high priests, and the traitor | | | | the celebration? Jesus of Nazareth who was born |
| with qualities such as greed, hypocrisy and | | | | 2000 years ago came to die for the people, to |
| unfaithfulness. There is no denying the fact that it | | | | bridge the gap between mankind and God. Jesus said, |
| was him who 'handed over Jesus' to the priests on | | | | 'Man does not live by bread alone but on every word |
| that night at the Calvary. One should remember here | | | | that comes from the mouth of God' (Matt4: 4). Over |
| that it was Jesus who chose Judas to be one of his | | | | the centuries Christians have also used Lent as an |
| disciples. And it was God's will that the Scriptures be | | | | opportunity to improve their physical, mental and |
| fulfilled. Jesus is clearly depicted as one who is in | | | | spiritual health. Though Christians vary in their attitude |
| control of his destiny and nothing in the world can | | | | towards fasting most will agree that Lent is a good |
| take away that spiritual aura and confidence. | | | | time for some positive thinking and perhaps viewing it |
| The name Judas represents evil in the Christian | | | | as an alternate therapy or as 'spiritual anti toxins'! One |
| history -- German law even forbids parents to give a | | | | need not be very religious to give up something for |
| child the name Judas! According to the four Gospels, | | | | Lent - giving up smoking, drinking and a conscious |
| Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus and | | | | effort to treat other fellow beings with kindness |
| the treasurer of the group. One wonder why Judas is | | | | would only be a boost to any one's well being. |
| talked about in the literature more than any other | | | | Christianity accepts Jesus as, the only Son of God |
| disciples, especially when he was the least talked | | | | and it is important to remember that other religions |
| about in the Bible. | | | | accept Jesus in other versions. Muslims regard Jesus |
| Jesus told Judas, 'what you are about to do, do | | | | as a prophet and messenger of Allah, many Jews |
| quickly'; 'the handing over', on the night of the | | | | find him a teacher, Hindus respect him as someone |
| betrayal, was according to the scriptures -- an act of | | | | who reached the highest level of consciousness and |
| God and therefore, should the person who carried | | | | the Buddhists regard him as a figure of compassion. |
| out the will of God be ridiculed, slighted or | | | | There have been many paintings based on the Last |
| demonised? When Judas found that his Master was | | | | Supper and the betrayal by Judas. The most famous |
| condemned, he was overcome with remorse and | | | | of them all is the 'Last Supper' by Leonardo da Vinci |
| tried to return the money. As the priests refused to | | | | that represents the scene when Jesus told his |
| accept it, Judas threw the thirty pieces of silver and | | | | disciples that one of them was going to betray him. |
| hanged himself. One could argue here that Judas truly | | | | As soon as Judas went, Jesus said, 'Now is the Son |
| believed that his Master was too powerful to be | | | | of Man glorified and God is glorified in him'. (John13: |
| captured by the high priests and therefore, he was | | | | 27, 31). Jesus added, 'But how then would the |
| heart broken at what happened. | | | | Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this |
| He said, during the Last Supper, 'I tell you the truth, | | | | way'. 'This is what is written: The Christ will suffer |
| one of you will betray me- one who is eating with | | | | and rise from the dead on the third day, and |
| me. The son of man will go just as it is written about | | | | repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached |
| him'. (Mark14: 21). 'Eloi, Eloi, Lama Sabachthani', Jesus | | | | in his name to all nations'. (Luke24: 45-47). |
| cried out at the ninth hour, which means, 'My God, | | | | Muslims regard Jesus as a prophet and messenger of |
| my God, why have you forsaken me?' As he gave | | | | Allah, many Jews find him a teacher, Hindus respect |
| up his spirit, the curtain of the temple was torn in | | | | him as someone who reached the highest level of |
| two from top to bottom, earth shook and the rocks | | | | consciousness and the Buddhists regard him as a |
| split. (Matt 27: 46,51). 'Don’t be alarmed', a young | | | | figure of compassion. One hopes that we learn to |
| man in white robe told the three women who took | | | | have tolerance of fellow beings and understanding of |
| spices to the tomb on the third day- very early in | | | | other religions enabling us to live harmoniously, |
| the morning, 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, | | | | without having to resort to violence to settle our |
| who was crucified. He has risen'! (Mark16: 6). This is | | | | different views and opinions. The suffering of Jesus |
| the story of the agony in Gethsemane on Good | | | | was helped by the action of Judas, the original |
| Friday and the ecstasy that followed with the | | | | betrayer, who only fulfilled the prophecies. Perhaps, |
| resurrection of Jesus, the only Son of God. One could | | | | one should spare a moment here for Judas who |
| argue the logic behind calling it 'Good Friday', the day | | | | believed in the power of Jesus, without whose action |
| Jesus was crucified: His death brought forgiveness to | | | | the prophecies would not have been fulfilled. |