There are two types of people in the world…

 I heard a comedian say one time, “There are two types of people in the world: People who divide everybody else into two groups, and people who don’t.” I’m reluctant to impose some kind of dichotomy on the whole population, but I think there are definitely some contrasts we can find that are interesting. Let’s consider the spiritual interests of two different people here…

 Person #1 says this:
“I don’t want to be all religious. I grew up in church, and I’m not interested in being like the churchgoing people I know. I like my life as it is. I’ve learned enough about what Jesus was like. I shouldn’t have to change my life to be how Christians think it should be.”

This person sees Jesus and the church as a threat. They are reluctant to change their lifestyle, to give up the things that are necessary as part of being a Christian. And so they try to push Him away. When someone invites them to church or tries to discuss Christian life, they try to resist the influence. They may talk about it, but they’ll make it clear that they’re not interested. This type of disposition is spiritually dangerous, and in its worst form it can have eternal consequences.

Person #2, by contrast, says this:
“I’ve never really been all that into Christian and church stuff. But I know I really ought to pay closer attention. I really think God has me here for a reason. And there are lots of things about God and my life that I don’t understand. So maybe all that can help me? I really should learn more about Jesus and the Bible.”

This person sees Jesus as a possibility. They recognize that Jesus has a lot to offer their life and family and they are open to learning more. This type of disposition is just a beginning, but it stands to lead to great blessings, and ultimately to eternal life.

This contrast has been visible in all ages. We see it in part of the Christmas story described in Matthew, chapter 2. There are two principal characters that are contrasted in the narrative:

1. Herod the Great, the Roman-appointed king over Israel, who ruled from 37 to 4 B.C. Both the scriptures and secular history have found his reign to be one of brutal tyranny. He was known to have killed off his own sons in order to protect his power. And in response to Jesus’ birth he perpetrated an act of genocide, killing off all infants ages 3 and under in the area around Bethlehem (Matthew 2:13-23). He didn’t want to compete with a rival king.
   
    
2. Against his negative example the three wise men from the East are contrasted. (Actually they aren’t numbered in the Bible, but tradition has said that there were three.) These guys are Gentiles – Persian astrologers – with no upbringing in the covenants of God. But they were eager to come and pay homage to the newly born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2).

This contrast carries over to this day. Which are you most like?

God bless you,
Andrew McHenry, Pastor
Maple Hill Community Congregational Church