G O J

Seems like lots on the tv last nite - Oprah interviewing Meg Ryan and something with Madonna on, plus a documentary about the Gospel of Judas. Rushed back from my movie Inside Man to catch the 2 hour documentary on the National Geographic. I was also doing other things and watched with half a mind. I don't think I learned anything much more than about this egyptian who found the Judas' gospel and tried to sell it off but could not find any buyers (so strange, how come?), so he put it away in a security box where it laid forgotten for 60 years, during which time, the document crumbled into fragments. Bits of which says Jesus had tasked Judas to betray him.

That reminded me of the movie The Last Temptation of Christ. It was a very slow movie, almost dull but worth the while to stay to the end. Then it was brilliant. While on the cross, Christ suffered and lamented to God why he had to go through the torture. Suddenly, angel Gabriel appeared before Jesus and told him that he need not go through this way at all. Jesus was taken off cross and relieved, he went on to live a normal life like any other man, had lusts, had a family. Until near his death, his disciples turned up next to his bedside. Judas, being one of them, derided Jesus for abandoning his duty and mission. I was meant to betray you, that was part of the whole plan for you to save the world, exclaimed Judas. Shocked by the revelation that he had been tempted to take the wrong path all those years ago, and horrified at his betrayal of all that was at stake, he was devastated. Remorseful, Jesus cried to God he wished he had stayed on and died on the cross. He cried and cried to God and slowly aroused from a drowsiness to find himself actually still nailed on the cross. That the manly life he chose and led had all been a dream. If Jesus had doubts before, he was no longer doubtful and was all ready to do his God's work. This movie was simply awesome. It left a very deep impression on me.

If Judas was doing God's work, he's sure very unlucky cos until now, even with his documents, they are in such bad shape, it will be hard to clear his name. 黄河洗不清。