Good Friday is a day of mourning in the church, and during the services Christians meditate on Jesus` suffering and death on the cross. Thus the most important events in Christianity are the death and later resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Jewish prophet who Christians believe is the Son of God.

Whatever may be the case, Good Friday is called good because on this day Jesus was crucified for our redemption of our sins.: "Holy Friday" for Latin nations, Slavs and Hungarians call it "Great Friday," in Germany it is "Friday of Mourning," and in Norway, it is "Long Friday." Some view the term "Good Friday" (used in English and Dutch) as a corruption of the term "God's Friday." Anyway, let’s us elaborate more on Jesus` 12 disciples` life particularly about Judas popularly known as “the betrayer”

It’s amazing that all the disciples of Jesus Christ were illiterate and ignorant who belong to proletarian class. They didn’t possess any degree or certificate to become teachers and guides to others. On top of that, one of the disciples was from underground out-fit! So, let`s us find out what kind of persons were the 12 disciples whom Jesus choose and appointed!

In those days, the Pharisees (the so-called teacher of the law) were supposed to be people`s guidance, but they became rather self-centered and had no interest in taking care of them. Thus, in view of the critical economic and spiritual tribulations of the peoples, Jesus therefore appointed 12 apostles.

Mark gospel 3: 16-19, say; Jesus saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake. They were a simple fisherman. They were not an educated and especially Simon was known as a man of short temper. Zebedee`s sons James and John were so ambitious and had narrow out-look. As a result, they always competed with Simon. Andrew was a man of heart and simple but look indistinct and vague.

Philip was a man of brilliance mathematician. But he rather became a calculative and negative man. So, when he calculated any prevailing situation, nothing was possible. Bartholomew was an intermediary. Mathew was a selfish tax collector. In modern day he might be an IRS officer. Thomas was so skeptic and rational being. James, son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus were members of Jesus` disciple. Simon the Zealot was one of a terrorist member.

And there was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. So, in view of their personality and background all of them were just ordinary and common men. Seemingly they were not qualified to be an apostle at all. On the other hand, they didn’t study well about Sabbath law. In spite of their hopelessness, Jesus believed that they would be great apostles when they follow his teaching with open heart.

So, Jesus just said, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men”. To follow Him means to learn whatever direction He shows and decides. In other word, “Fisher of men” means spiritual leaders who can teach the truth about world salvation. Thus out of great hope, Jesus gave special name to some of the disciples.

First of all, Jesus name Simon into Peter. Simon means “Sand of seashore”. As we all aware of that any objects stand on the sand of the seashore are fragile and vulnerable because there can not make strong foundation. Peter means “Rock”. In fact, rock is a very hard object and although Peter was very weak as he denied Jesus three times.

However, Jesus put hope in Peter and eventually he became the very foundation of the world Church. The brothers James and John appeared to be so quiet, but they were very ambitious! Thus, Jesus gave them the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder so that they might become thunderous and courageous men of faith.

But they had one strong point that is learning mind. Simon Peter was simply an illiterate and a mere fisherman, but because of his learning mind he became one of the greatest teachers of all mankind.

In fact, learning mind is one greatest gift from God. Everything under the sun can stop growing, but learning cannot stop. It grows and activating life till we die. The scientists say that a human brain can contain all libraries of the world, which much capacity is within us. In fact, a person with fixed mind cannot cultivate wisdom and knowledge.

Man can live in two ways: either he becomes like stagnant water or river flowing. The stagnant water never knows anything beyond itself because it never moves beyond its boundaries. Whereas the river like flow helps you always to go beyond yourself. It helps you to discover many hidden treasures and mysterious thing. It movement towards the oceanic and the unbounded vehicle like! Yes, life should be like a flowing river, always moving, always ready to go into the unknown and ready to risk the familiar for the unfamiliar.

Lastly Jesus called even Judas as Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. Judas betrayed Jesus not for other reason but having full of prejudice and a fixed mind. Many theologians believed that it was for thirty silver coins that he betrayed Jesus. But it was not so, because Judas was the most educated disciple. Perhaps more educated and culture then Jesus himself. Ever since, he used to be the permanent finance minister in Jesus`s ministry.

The fact was that, Judas could see that if Jesus is removed, he can prove himself to be a great master! Following Jesus, seeing his teachings, he could easily visualize himself as a great master, greater than Jesus, because Jesus is simply a carpenter’s son; still he has created a great stir in the country. And another theory published by By Thomas H. Maugh II, Times Staff Writer April 7, 2006 is totally different and controversial.

Judas Iscariot, long reviled as history's quintessential betrayer, was actually the best friend of Jesus and turned him over to authorities only because Jesus asked him to, according to the Gospel of Judas, a long-lost document revealed Thursday. The manuscript, which scientists date to the year 300, is an account of conversations between Jesus and Judas in the last week of their lives — conversations in which Jesus is said to have shared religious secrets not known by the other disciples.

The document is a copy of the Gospel of Judas, written in Greek about 140 years after Jesus and Judas died. It was thought that all copies were destroyed, though references to it survived. It had been declared heretical by early church leaders because it conflicted with the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The National Geographic Society, which helped with efforts to save the manuscript, made its contents public Thursday in Washington.

Many consider it the most important archaeological find since the Dead Sea Scrolls were unearthed in the 1940s.The authentication and translation of the document will produce "a short-term sensation," said Father Donald Senior, president of the Catholic Theological Union in Chicago, but its "impact on the lives of ordinary believers is going to be somewhat minimal." saying, "You will exceed all of them for you will sacrifice the man that clothes me."

By helping Jesus get rid of his flesh, it suggests, Judas will help liberate the divine being within. Several times in the text, Jesus indicates the special status of Judas: "Step away from the others and I shall tell you the mysteries of the kingdom. It is possible for you to reach it, but you will grieve a great deal.” Jesus also indicates that Judas will be despised by the other disciples.

“You will be cursed by the other generations — and you will come to rule over them.” Some scholars argue that the Greek word paradidomi in the original texts of the Gospels, normally translated as "betray," actually means "to hand over," suggesting that Judas was simply doing the will of God. Sometime God works in a very mysterious way.

In the same case, De Hartmann was like Judas while he was following George Gurdjieff. He knew certain technique that Gurdjieff was practicing with disciples. His main rolled was playing the music following Gurdjieff`s instruction. De Hartmann could not prove himself to be a master without Gurdjieff. He knew the music, but he was not aware that the techniques, the music, all were alive because of the living presence of a master. He was only a technician.

That is the difference between a technician and a master. De Hartmann lived for 40 years with George Gurdjieff, and had a very intimate relationship, but not as a disciple! The intimacy was because of the music; Gurdjieff needed a musician. But finally Gurdjieff became very hard and said to DE Hartmann, “You have to stop music completely, because music has become a barrier.

Your music has helped others tremendously, but for yourself it has become a barrier. Burn all your musical instruments and become my true disciple”. This was too much for De Hartmann as he was not an ordinary musician. Therefore, the aftermath was nothing but separation. A desire to become a master is a simple ego number.

This is also happening among the so-called all politicians in our state. Just a matter of one night they made to be a cabinet minister but the following night, they start dreaming of becoming the chief minister. The so-called politicians today are all ego number and power hungry! Turyia said to the congregation, “You are more important to me than Mr. Gurdjieff,” is a simple shameful, but this is the category of the Judas.

To remove Jesus was easy, because the Jews were always after him. Judas though that nobody would ever know that he had done it. But his sketch was a total failure and that realization came only later on. That realization came only when Jesus was crucified on the cross and Judas was in the crowd.

He regrets that he had done this just to become a master! He realized that he had betrayed a true friend, a true master who loved him and trusted him. Suddenly he forgot all about becoming a master. Now something new that he had never thought about, “Repentance” within 24 hours he committed suicide by hanging himself on the tree. That was the last part of Judas.

In conclusion, many people came to Jesus because they see certain aspect of possible implementation for their ego and ambition. They have no spiritual desire heart to know the truth but to be a rich man, to build up good connection with western Christians, to be a minister, to be a governor etc.

Jesus has to be patient, but these people are in haste! Whenever there will be a master, there will be Judases. With Mahavira there was Goshalak. With George Gurdjieff there was De Hartmann. Thus with each great teacher, these people have followed like a shadows and hungry for power and fame. But the power of the master like Jesus Christ was divine being!

It’s the power of his holiness and nothingness. But many Judases will continue to happen, but they don`t make even an impression in human history. They simply end up their own life which a great opportunity that was given to them. But the true master Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. All may change, but Jesus never changes.

Christ wants to make a transformation in our life. Whosoever knows the truth are no more interested in ordinary worldly ambition because he has known something higher than money and power can give! Give our heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. Put our problem in his Hands and praise Him.

And we will have a powerful, victorious Christian life as we pass through the wilderness and backwoods if this world.

Glory to His name and Happy Good Friday!