The first three gospels tell us that Jesus began his ministry with a forty day fast in the wilderness. Fasts like this were not uncommon for first century Jewish mystics like the Essenes. If Jesus began his ministry with such an event, he was clearly a practiced mystic.

The story is my exegetical interpretation of Mathew’s temptation account. I am greatly indebted to Frederick Dale Bruner, whom I met several times at at retreat center in Texas. His commentary on the gospel of Matthew is my favorite commentary from any category.