I was wondering, at Pentecost just past, why Jesus had the symbol of the Spirit as a dove - whereas the disciples had the tongues of fire. And this is what emerged for me...
We see the dove in the story of Noah. After the rain had stopped, Noah sent out a dove, and eventually it returned with an olive branch in it's mouth. Noah took this to mean that life was returning to the earth after the judgement of God.
We always see the dove as a sign of peace. That would mean 'peace with God' - because the judgement had passed. Is this also what the dove on Jesus meant? The sign of peace with God now - because of Jesus?
John the Baptist declared (just a couple of verses before he tells of Jesus and the dove) "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" So yes... why not? The dove is the Spirit pointing to Jesus as the one who takes away our judgement. The dove means "The judgement has passed" - because all our sins are laid on Jesus.
Have you seen the dove? Does he witness in your heart "the judgement has passed." Do you know for sure that there is no condemnation for you because you are in Christ Jesus?
Ask him to show you. He's good at that!
No comments:
Post a Comment