February 14

The Spirit of God descending like a Dove and lighting upon him.—Matthew 3:16.

Both kings and priests were set apart to their offices, with anointing oil. Jesus had to sustain both offices in himself, like Melchisedec, he was king of Salem and priest of the most high God. The literal anointing with oil, typified the anointing of Jesus and his church with the Holy Ghost. Christ's anointing evidently took place when he was baptized. Then "the Spirit of God descending like a Dove lighted upon him." The description given of the Spirit's descent upon Jesus, like a Dove, may refer to those features of meekness, pity, and love, which are produced by the Spirit, and which so eminently distinguished the Redeemer; or, it may refer to the manner of the Dove in hovering over the place where it designs to fall. The term evidently signifies the same as that which is applied to the Spirit of God in the first creation, "and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." (Genesis 1:2.) Let it however, be observed, that Christ's anointing was indispensable to the execution of his great undertaking. For by this, as the man Christ Jesus, he was to be qualified for his prophetic, priestly, and regal offices, and by this he was to offer himself without spot to God. (Hebrews 9:14.)