I am continually amazed at the ability of the modern press to show it's

own colors to an apparently colorblind nation.  Recently there has been

a swarm of coverage around the Gospel of Judas, an apparent recent 

discovery, and insightful document concerning the relationship between

Jesus Christ and Judas Iscariot.

What the press failed to mention is the wealth of information regarding

the Gospel of Judas, it's origins, meanings, and impact on 

Christianity.  The media would have you believe that some new discovery

or truth about Christ has now been revealed.  One radio reporter

inferred that Easter would now be changed forever because of this new

information. 

People have been surprised to learn of a possible friendship between

Judas and Jesus.  Even more astounding, it seems, is the idea that the

actions of Judas were, in fact, inline with the will of God through 

Jesus.

The Gospels contain nothing which would lead readers to believe that

Judas and Jesus were not close.  Judas was the treasurer for the chosen

twelve.  Obviously he was trustworthy, and a man of honor. He seems no 

less close to Jesus than the 4 authors of the canonical gospels.  Of

course he is painted in a negative light by his brethren.  Imagine

living with a man for 3 years, communing with him daily, trusting him,

only to have him betray the one Person you have both sworn to serve. 

That is a wound which does not heal easily.

And truth be told, Judas's actions were directly in line with the will

of the Father.  Christ had to be turned over to the authorities, that

he might be sacrificed for all mankind. This does not mean that what 

Judas did was righteous, or selflessly motivated.  The idea Judas was a

hero is historically claimed as being popular among the early gnostics,

who proposed the idea of God as an evil ruler and the biblical

anti-heroes as the bringer of the Messiah. 

Accuracy aside, let us assume this Gospel of Judas is authentic.  What

is the significance of Judas's actions, if they were in fact done out

of obedience?  What effect do they have on the Salvation which Christ's 

death brought to humanity?  Absolutley none.  Even if Judas had been

instructed by Christ to betray Him, that would not change the

significance of the cross.

Remember that the media may have taken hold of this document in order 

to promote their own present agenda, but the church has both

acknowledged and studied the Gospel of Judas since 180AD, when it was

first mentioned by Irenaeus, an early Church Bishop.

We must not fear the attempts of the enemy to trip us up.  The truth is 

infallible in it's own right.  Remember, that any rash or dramatic

reaction from the Christian community only pro-ports what the enemy is

trying to tell the world: the present day Christian Church is an

irrational bunch of bible bashers who don't know their own history. 

Let us be calm, controlling ourselves in the face of constant

adversity.  Remember God's advice to Cain, "...sin is crouching at the

door.  It desires to dominate you, but you must subdue it."1

The power of Christ's actions and their everlasting effects cannot be

altered by any document, ancient or not.  Know your history, know the

story of our Savior and cherish every detail.

1. Genesis 4:7, NET Bible Translation