I like to draw a hard line between good people and bad people. It makes it easier to call myself ‘good’. And, as long as what’s showing seems right, I tend to accept other people and trust them. Those ‘bad’ people, though, I keep in an entirely separate camp. 

 

But the truth is, there is good and bad in every one of us. Even King Herod.

 

Though his characteristics took a cruel turn, they probably began a little like my own: He valued highly his own ability and power, he worked to impress the world with his greatness, he was ambitious. Unchecked, Herod’s tendencies matured into labels like paranoid, distrustful, jealous. When full-grown his flaws became murderous, cruel, even shocking.

 

To be sure, Herod made some dreadful choices, right alongside some choices that seemed honorable. Trying to be a legitimate Jew, he would not eat pork. And considering himself the leader of the Jews, he developed the synagogue communities and supplied free grain to the people. He restored the temple in Jerusalem to even greater splendor than in the time of Solomon.

 

But he also murdered his sons, wives, and other family members. Not to mention his order to kill baby boys at the time of the birth of Jesus. 

 

Though I’ve never committed such heinous crimes, both good and bad are inside me, too. Truth is, Herod was a flawed person in need of a saviour, just like me.

 

Though most may think of Herod and remember the tyrant that killed infants and threatened the Saviour, I see a bit of myself in him. And I am thankful that the Bethlehem baby came to remake every one of us, to save people like Herod just as much as the trustworthy people in our family or our circle of respectable friends. 

 

I don’t have to decide who is ‘good’ and who is ‘bad’. God redeems all who choose to follow Him, regardless of the shortcomings we bring to the table. And even when flawed people never turn to Him, He weaves every bit of time and eternity into a narrative for His Glory and His children’s salvation.

If we learn anything from Herod’s part in the Christmas plot, it’s this: Even when the worst part of us is showing, God uses it to fulfill promises and advance the very best parts of His Perfect Story.