Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

Now after he was baptized, Jesus immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove coming upon him. And behold, there was a voice from heaven saying, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”

Matthew 3:16-17

The entire Trinity, right there in two verses in three places, but joined as One. Powerful verses. Jesus in the Jordan river, Ruach HaKodesh descending from Heaven, and the Father in Heaven. But why a dove? Why not a lion or a lamb? Or an eagle? Or being the voice? He’s certainly capable of being any of them. Yet, He came as a dove. He WASN’T a dove, but that was the imagery shown to John the Baptizer. The question becomes what did a dove mean to John? What was the lesson Yahweh meant to impart?

Doves mate for life. Once they have chosen, they stick with that mate until death. Ruach HaKodesh was descending on Jesus for the rest of Jesus’ life. This wasn’t a temporary thing. It was an unbreakable bond until the cross – when Jesus would be forsaken for our sake.

Doves tend (depending on sub-species) to nest in the same spot again and again, year after year – sometimes even reusing the same nest. Ruach HaKodesh was not going to bounce around or look for another prophet to host Him. He was going to be with Jesus and not leave Jesus and rest in Jesus. Period.

In the Old Covenant, the Israelites weren’t righteous. They were sinners saved only by the covering of their sins with a system of sacrifices and offerings. Ruach HaKodesh came upon prophets and kings, but did not stay with them (Psalm 51:11). Jesus, however, WAS righteous. Ruach HaKodesh could descend on Him to stay. Through Jesus, we too are righteous in our spirit (2 Corinthians 5:21). Ruach HaKodesh descending on Jesus as a dove TO STAY was heralding the NEW covenant IN JESUS that gives us the same opportunity. Once Jesus released Ruach (John 20:22) and He descended (Acts 2:1-11), He became a resident in US, His new tabernacle (1 Corinthians 3:16).

Ruach HaKodesh is the dove that is mated to us (Ephesians 1:13). He is with us and will NOT seek a dwelling elsewhere (Romans 8:9). We are in the New Covenant. We are in the Sabbath Rest of Messiah Jesus (imperfectly now, fully later – 1 John 3:2). This is exciting. This is the kind of revelation that changes our entire relationship with Him. He is WITH us and that is NEVER going to change (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Hebrews 13:5).

Daily Affirmation of the Goodness of Elohim: Acts 14:17

“And yet he did not leave himself without witness by doing good, giving you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying you with food and your hearts with gladness.” If we can see the dawn breaking across the mountains. If we can see the stars glittering in the night sky. If we can see the beauty of an ocean wave, a soaring eagle, or a herd of animals charging across the land. If we can see the soulful love and affection of our pets. If we can see the cute, the cuddly, the sleek, and the slimy. If we can feel the baking heat of the desert and the biting cold of the Arctic. If we can climb the high peaks of the mountain ranges and descend the emerald depths of the sea. If we can see and experience all this, then we know, at a heart level, that God is GOOD and God is real and Yahweh is His Name.

Your Daily Confession of Elohim’s Goodness:

I taste and see that Yahweh is good; I am blessed because I take refuge in Him.

Psalm 34:8