Like a Dove

Too often it’s easy to react like these predatory birds in Kruger park. We are
called to be doves in this world. 

Scripture:

 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”

(Mark 1:9–11 NRSV)

Observation:

In the moment of Jesus’ baptism the miraculous was on display. Divine reconciliation was revealed as the heavens were torn apart. The divide between heaven and earth was in the process of being healed through the presence of God incarnate, Jesus Christ. 

The presence of the dove provides for interesting thought and commentary. The first is the comparison of the dove in this scene as with the story of Noah. Jesus is now the new Noah, the one who will take the shipwrecked nature of humanity and provide the pathway of reconciliation for all of humanity. 

John Chrysostom’s comments on the presence of the dove are profound: 

But why in the form of a dove? The dove is a gentle and pure creature. Since then the Spirit, too, is “a Spirit of gentleness,” he appears in the form of a dove, reminding us of Noah, to whom, when once a common disaster had overtaken the whole world and humanity was in danger of perishing, the dove appeared as a sign of deliverance from the tempest, and bearing an olive branch, published the good tidings of a serene presence over the whole world. All these things were given as a type of things to come. . . . In this case the dove also appeared, not bearing an olive branch, but pointing to our Deliverer from all evils, bringing hope filled with grace. For this dove does not simply lead one family out of an ark, but the whole world toward heaven at her appearing. And instead of a branch of peace from an olive tree, she conveys the possibility of adoption for all the world’s offspring in common. THE GOSPEL OF ST. MATTHEW, HOMILY 12.3.

The dove represents the grace of God reaching out to humanity, bringing a gentle message of peace. The dove, a simple bird, tame and innocent prepares the pathway for those who are filled with the Spirit to imitate the dove. 

Application:

In this opening scene of Mark’s gospel the character of Christ is beginning to be revealed. Mark wants us to grasp the gravity of who Christ is, and what it is that Christ accomplishes for all of humanity. This tearing open of the heavens is the same language that Mark uses later when he refers to the tearing of the veil in the temple. This is a significant moment where heaven comes down and there is the possibility of the uniting of God and man, and this will be in and through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

This vision of the Spirit, like a dove, becomes a model of the Spirit-filled life of the believer who is reflecting Christ. Bede puts it this way:

The image of a dove is placed before us by God so that we may learn the simplicity favored by him. So let us meditate on the nature of the dove, that from each one of its features of innocence we may learn the principles of a more becoming life. The dove is a stranger to malice. So may all bitterness, anger and indignation be taken away from us, together with all malice. The dove injures nothing with its mouth or talons, nor does it nourish itself or its young on tiny mice or grubs, as do almost all smaller birds. Let us see that our teeth are not weapons and arrows. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPELS 1.12

This is the vision of holiness, one that embraces the dove of peace. God’s people, filled with the Holy Spirit are to be instruments of peace in this world. As we are filled with the Spirit our attitude begins to change. We do not react to others with anger, bitterness, or a desire for retribution. Instead, the believer, imitating the dove, ensures that no one is injured by their words. We have no need to feed on others to build up our own self-image. The weak are not attacked by the dove, but instead feel a sense of security. 

Just as the dove has become the enduring symbol of peace in this world, the Spirit-filled believer ought to be the living embodiment of that peace. We cannot simply have a dove on a logo without wrestling with what that really means in the life of a believer. The heavens opened and the dove appeared, and the world was never again to be the same. We are to be in this world, like a dove. 

Prayer:

Lord. In a world of hawks, help me be your dove. Amen.