Everyone has a “two-kinds-of-people” analogy of some sort. Today’s gospel text, including the last portion of the Sermon on the Mount, features some of Jesus’ favorite “two-kinds-of-people” analogies.

Chapter seven, verse thirteen begins the first of four different “two-kinds-of-people” stories: the broad vs. the narrow road (vv.13-14); the good vs. the bad fruit (vv.15-20); the insiders vs. the outsiders (vv. 21-23); and the well-built vs. the poorly built house (vv.24-27). All these case studies conclude with consequences to choices. In other words, the “two kinds” are tied to a final judgment and its attendant rewards or punishments.

Jesus’ third “two-kinds-of-people” example is the first in this week’s gospel reading. Of all the “two kinds” Jesus cites, this third type is the most distu…