MARK 1.9-11: In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. (10) And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. (11) And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” (ESV)
As the New Testament makes clear, Jesus was born into the world fully man, fully God. And since He was fully man, it was appointed for Him to live His life by the power of the Holy Spirit, because that is the way believers in Him are to live. Hebrews 4.15 says, speaking of Jesus, “in every respect (He) has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (ESV). So the testing of Jesus required that He live by the Spirit.
After the baptism of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was symbolized by a dove. He came down from heaven and rested upon Jesus. This was a symbol of peace. It was a symbol of gentleness. Jesus will not be a warrior in the traditional sense. And specifically He will not be a warrior the way the Jewish nation wants their Messiah to be. So Jesus will not clash and fight with the Roman government in the manner of sword and spear.
Jesus will accomplish His mission in the way Matthew 12.19 declares it, “He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.” (ESV). And in the preceding verse 18 it says, “I will put my Spirit upon Him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.” (ESV). The expression “Spirit upon Him” means that Jesus will live by the power of the Holy Spirit.
So Jesus’ life as the Messiah was by the Holy Spirit and His power, but it was also like the gentleness of a dove. But doves can be underestimated. Coveys of dove congregate around my house at certain times of the year. One time about twenty dove were all nestled down close together in a flower bed, and unknowingly, I spooked them. They all flew up and away at once and I got a good dose and appreciation of the power in their wings as they took flight. It was a frightful thing.
Doves are gentle and peaceable and beautiful birds. But there is power in their wings. So this symbolism of Jesus carrying out His mission by the Holy Spirit as a dove, should not be interpreted that Jesus will live without force and power.