Judas Iscariot-- Villian or Victim?

There are always at least two sides to every story. And, the story of Judas is no exception. The Biblical version presents Judas as an unfortunate victim in the saga of the passion and crucification. But, the Gnostic version presents the story of Judas in a very different light.

The Gospel of Judas starts out with Jesus laughing at his disciples, who are engaged in a deeply philosophical discussion about God. The agitated disciples finally ask him what he finds to be so humorous about their discussion. Jesus informs them that the God they are discussing is not the Father who he is constantly talking about. He asks them if they know who he really is and where his father truly abides.

Confused and troubled, the disciples look at one another in anguish. But, Judas speaks up and says that he does indeed know who Jesus is and where his Father abides. "You are from the immortal realm of Bardelo." Judas tells Jesus "And I am not worthy to utter the name of the one who has sent you."

Jesus takes Judas aside and explains to him that it is time for him to shed his physical vessel. According to the gospel, the betrayal of Jesus at the hands of Jesus is the fulfillment of his mission, which is to enable the crucifixion and allow the Christian movement to take place. Jesus says to Judas, "You will exceed all of them (meaning the other disciples) for you will sacrifice the man who clothes me." By sacrificing the body, Jesus would be able to free his true spiritual or divine being.

In order to allow a better understanding of this gospel, it is necessary to have a basic idea of Gnostic belief. According to the Gnostics, God is not the true creator.. they see the Prime Creator as unknown. And, his first breath as Sophia.

The Prime Creator and Sophia were joint creators of all that exists. But, Sophia decided to create something without the help of the Prime Creator. The result was an adomination which she hid in the clouds. Our world is the creation of that abomination. And, he rules it with an iron hand and will.

Jesus was considered to be a "son of Seth" by the Gnostics. Seth, of all of the children of Adam and Eve, was considered to be the perfect example of what humankind could become. And, it was Seth who inspired the teachings of Jesus.

Jesus was not an admirer of the Pharisees, which means that he was not a traditional Jew. In those days, the rebels were generally Gnostic. So, understandably they flew in the face of Jewish tradition and law.. as Jesus did.

Was Jesus a Gnostic? His teachings clearly show a Gnostic viewpoint. The Old Testament is a book of Jewish tradition and law which honors a Jewish God. With the advent of the New Testament, which is about the life and times of Jesus, the old traditions and laws seemed to become moot, except of course, for the Jews.

The question seems to be.. If Jesus was indeed a Gnostic, and his death at the hands of Judas was pre-arranged, are his followers Gnostic or Jewish? After all, Christianity is totally based on Jewish belief.

Seeing the story of Jesus and Judas through the eyes of the Gnostics presents the entire story of the life of Jesus in a very different light, as it does his Father God.

I am including a link to a very interesting article about the Gospel of Judas.. enjoy!

http://www.spiritrestoration.org/Archeology/The_G ospel_of_Judas.htm