How often have we confused our WANTS with our NEEDS? A man says, "What I NEED is $100,000." A lady says, "What I NEED is a husband." Personally, I have often felt the NEED for a couple more hours in a day. It is true that we have certain needs - food, clothing, shelter; however the amount of "things" we need is often debatable. We tend to be caught up in our materialistic-minded world until the eyes of our mind devise a plan to get what we really want or need. This is a normal and rational procedure when our wants are honorable and our means whereby we can obtain them are too.

We might wonder if Judas followed Jesus thinking He might be the one who would overthrow the "heel" of Rome in that part of the world. But when Judas felt Jesus was not getting around to a plan to overthrow Rome's dominion in their world, did he, Judas, feel a need to devise a plan whereby he could get a little money and also force Jesus to step up His time-table? Mark 32-50 and 53-64. But Jesus knew this "devlish" thinking on Judas' part did not fit with the Divine Plan of God's love. Jesus was to make it possible for all mankind to enter an everlasting relationship for centuries to come through the "Son of God" ... perfect substitute for imperfect mankind.

My allegation is this: in every struggle, there are at least two levels -- the obvious problem and the deeper problem. Perhaps there is a "struggling Judas" in all of us. Let me explain. Careful study has indicated that Judas was probably an insurrectionist who believed Jesus could and would lead a successful revolution against Rome. He was an opportunist who wanted to use Jesus and ride "His Robe" to power. His were dreams of "political glory." That's what led to his betrayal of Jesus and he was doing it out of love -- or so he thought. Now when Jesus entered Jerusalem triumphantly, they spread palm branches in Jesus' path, and the crowd chanted words that fired Judas' blood. You see, an analysis of mob psychology might suggest that Judas' fellow insurrectionists had a hand in staging the demonstration. But Jesus did not grasp the "ready-made" opportunity to overthrow Roman rule.

Jesus had not come to meet Judas' terms as conqueror, but as a Savior. And Judas, of all men, needed what Jesus was about to accomplish on the cross. The crisis brought into focus the central conflict between what Judas wanted Jesus to be an what Jesus had come to be. Jesus had come as the perfect substitute, to "redeem" imperfect, sinful, fallen mankind from that time on! Judas saw only the "surface" problems of his people -- Rome. Jesus came to meet and provide for the need beneath the surface problems; for mankind needed a deliverer, redeemer, a Savior! It is easy for us to see why the hight prist Caiphas missed it. He was so full of "self," he, too, could not see the need beneath his needs. He looked upon Jesus as a threat to his leadership, rather than its... and his salvation. Later on, the Apostle Paul said, "I live, yet not I, but Christ lives through me..." Paul accepted His authority in salvation and daily obedience! Oh beloved, the Lord knows all about what you are going through and He knows what is best for you. He will bring grace and growth out of perplexity and pain.

So, what is the need beneath our needs? Ralph Carmichael wrote, "Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone? Does the road you travel harbor danger yet unknown? Are you growing weary in the struggle of it all? Jesus will help you when on His Name you call." "Is the life you're living filled with sorrow and despair? Does the future press you with its worry and its care? Are you tired and friend-less. have you almost lost your way? Jesus will help you, just come to Him today." "He is always there, hearing every prayer, faithful and true; walking by our side, in His love we hide all the day through. When you get discouraged just remember what to do -- reach out to Jesus, He's reaching out to you." (Reach Out to Jesus by Ralph Carmichael ©1968)