The Lord in Our Assemblies

“And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch.”

The presence of Jesus brings into prominence—

The place: “at Jerusalem, in the temple.”

The exact part of it: “Solomon’s porch.”

The time—the season—the exact date: “it was winter.”

The proceedings: “it was the feast of the dedication.”

The main feature in all history, and in all the events of a private life, is the presence or absence of Jesus.

At the time mentioned, the Lord Jesus walked manifestly among the people.

We greatly desire his spiritual presence now.

I. WILL HE BE HERE? Will he be in our assembly?

The place may be a very Jerusalem; but will he be there?

Our meeting-place may be a temple; but will he be there?

It may be a high day; but will the Lord be with us?

It may be cold and wintry; but what of that if he be there?

Our one eager inquiry is about his presence, and we feel sure that he will come, for—

1. We have invited him, and he will not refuse his friends.

2. We are prepared for him. We are waiting to welcome him.

3. We have great need of him, and he is full of compassion.

4. We have some of his brethren here among us, and these bring him with them: indeed, he is in them.

5. We have those here whom he is seeking. He seeks lost sheep, and such are here.

6. He has promised to come. Matthew 18:20.

7. Some declare that they have already seen him. Why should not others of us enjoy the same privilege?

II. WILL HE STAY? He will—

1. If we prize his company, and feel that we cannot live without it We must by earnest prayer constrain him to abide with us. Luke 24:29.

2. If we love his truth, and delight to make it known.

3. If we obey his will, and walk in sincerity and holiness.

4. If we are diligent in his service and worship.

5. If we are united in love to him, to one another, and to poor sinners.

6. If we are humbly reverent, and sit at his feet in lowly confession. The proud he will never favor.

7. If we are jealously watchful.

III. WHAT WILL HE DO IF HE COMES?

1. He will walk among us, and observe what we are doing, even as he noticed those who went to the temple at Jerusalem.

2. He will grieve over the spiritual condition of many, even as he mourned over the ruin of Jerusalem.

3. He will wait to give audience to any who desire to speak with him.

4. He will teach by his servant; and his Word, whether received or rejected, will be with great authority and power.

5. He will this day explain to us the temple itself, by being himself the Key to it.

   • Think of Jesus, who is the temple of God (Revelation 21:22), in the temple, and then understand, by the light of his presence,—
   • The temple. Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 15:5.
   • The altar. Hebrews 13:10; Revelation 8:3.
   • The Sacrifice. Hebrews 9:28; 1 Corinthians 5:7.
   • The showbread. Hebrews 9:2.
   • The veil. Hebrews 10:20.
   • The ark and mercy-seat. Hebrews 9:4, 5; Revelation 11:19.
   • The Priest. Hebrews 10:12.

6. He will to his own people reveal his love, as once the Lord’s light shone above the mercy-seat.

7. He will take us where he always walks, but where there is no winter: to the New Jerusalem, to the temple, to a more beautiful building than Solomon’s Porch. Revelation 21:10, 11.

Expository

What is here called “Solomon’s Porch”, was, strictly speaking, not a porch at all in the English sense of the word, but one of the large open colonnades that surrounded the courts.… The whole length of the four sides of the outer court was three quarters of a mile. The eastern side was “Solomon’s Porch.” It was a vast gallery of columns in double rows. Each column, thirty-five feet high, consisted of one piece of white marble. The roof above was in panels of cedar-wood. The view, through the columns, eastward and outward, ranged across the valley over the Mount of Olives. The inward view was into the court itself, which was planted with trees, and where, at festival times, there were crowds of people.

There is much solemnity in contemplating Jesus as he “walked” among the pillars of this famous colonnade; and it is interesting to compare this passage of the life of Jesus with a much earlier one recorded by the same Evangelist. We read, in the first chapter of John’s Gospel, that Jesus was “walking”—in solitude—by the banks of the Jordan, while John the Baptist and two of his disciples looked on. Then, perhaps, the Lord was meditating on his great mission, on the beginning of his work, and on the calling of the first disciples which speedily followed in that place. Now, perhaps, he was meditating on the accomplishment of his work, on the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple, and on the doom of the Jewish people. The impression upon the mind is very serious when we think of Jesus, on either of these occasions, as walking in silence, either by the banks of the famous historical river, or in this colonnade of the temple, which, in another way, is equally famous in the sacred annals.—Dean Howson’s “Thoughts for Saints’ Days.”

The Mohammedans have a saying, that, whenever two persons meet, there is always a third. The proverb refers to the presence of God.—Professor Hoge.

As the sun is as ready to pour its radiance upon the daisy on a village common as upon the oaks in Windsor Park, so is Christ as willing to visit the heart of the poorest and feeblest as well as the richest and noblest of earth.—Handbook of Illustration.

When Christ says, “I will be with you,” you may add what you will—to protect you, to direct you, to comfort you, to carry on the work of grace in you, and in the end to crown you with immortality and glory. All this and more is included in this precious promise.—John Trapp.