The gospel reading that we have just heard is an important one. Like the reading from the book of Genesis that we heard earlier in the service, it takes us straight into a deep strange place.

For these readings take us into the strange world of myth and mystery.

And if you doubt that, can I ask you who else was there in the gospel reading to know exactly what happened? Did Jesus return from the desert and describe to people his experience? It seems unlikely somehow. Or is this going on the sphere of Matthew’s imagination? Is this an authentic version of events or is it the author’s literary attempt to tell us something which is at once profound and utterly true. [Read more…]