Too Familiar

In chapter 6 of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus goes to his hometown and teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath. The text doesn’t say exactly what he taught, but one can imagine that it’s similar to what he had taught previously: that the Scriptures are fulfilled in him, that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, because he is here and ushering in the very reign of God in this fallen world.

You’d think this would be a great thing. Christ is here! God’s reign has come in him. God Himself has condescended to...