Jesus’ Spiritual Preparation for Inevitable Conflict

Matthew and Luke (both 4:2) relate that before Jesus’ preaching and healing activity he spent forty days fasting in the wilderness.

After Jesus had begun touring, however, fasting was not a regular practice in Jesus’ experience. In fact, the Pharisees and John’s disciples questioned Jesus about his gluttonous behavior (Mt 9:14; Mk 2:18; Lk 5:33).

At this point in the SpendaYearwithJesus story, Jesus is preparing to go to Jerusalem for the Fall Feasts. The religious authorities have rejected him. He has already predicted his demise, yet Jesus had “set his face to go to Jerusalem” (Lk 9:51).

How should Jesus respond? How should he prepare?

A period of prayer and fasting during the harvest month of Elul seems an appropriate way to fill this gap in the record. If something like a fast occurred, however, it was exceptional.

What would Jesus pray? Like worshippers through centuries, the Psalms provide a basis for his prayers.

Check out the Psalms and the SpendaYearwithJesus story:  “Story-Nav: Prepare.”