Was Jesus Suicidal?

We all know the story of how Judas betrayed Jesus and sent him to his death. Or do we? The 'Gospel of Judas' has surfaced after 1,700 years and it has some shockers, including this from a New York Times story today:

The text gives new insights into the relationship of Jesus and the disciple who betrayed him, scholars reported today. In this version, Jesus asked Judas, as a close friend, to sell him out to the authorities, telling Judas he will "exceed" the other disciples by doing so.

The account goes on to relate that Jesus refers to the other disciples, telling Judas "you will exceed all of them. For you will sacrifice the man that clothes me." By that, scholars familiar with Gnostic thinking said, Jesus meant that by helping him get rid of his physical flesh, Judas will act to liberate the true spiritual self or divine being within Jesus.

This turns the whole meaning of the word 'Judas' on its head. Judas is a hero! It also reinforces the fact that the Bible is a work in progress and should never enter into the realm of government or be used as the basis of law.