(20) "In Solomon's Porch"

Narrator: Chris Genthree

A THOUSAND years have passed away, and Solomon’s Temple has been superseded by another, built by a stranger. Only a remnant of Israel was in God’s land, under the domination of a Gentile Power. In Solomon’s porch walked One whose glory far exceeded that of the famous king, but He was unwanted and unacknowledged. He had given “many infallible proofs” that He was the long-promised Deliverer, yet He was obliged to emphasize His dignity before them. “I say unto you, that in this place is One greater than the temple... behold, a greater than Solomon is here” (Matt. 12:6, 41⁶But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple. (Matthew 12:6)
⁴¹The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. (Matthew 12:41)). Alas, blind eyes can see nothing! (Matt. 13:54⁵⁴And when he was come into his own country, he taught them in their synagogue, insomuch that they were astonished, and said, Whence hath this man this wisdom, and these mighty works? (Matthew 13:54)). The people were already saying in their hearts, “We will not have this man to reign over us” (Luke 19:14¹⁴But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us. (Luke 19:14)). The Holy Spirit remarks, “It was Winter” (John 10:20²⁰And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him? (John 10:20)). This describes the condition spiritually as well as physically. When Israel is in a better mood Summer will come, for themselves and for all nations (Matt. 24:32-33³²Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: ³³So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. (Matthew 24:32‑33)). Then it will be said, “the Winter is past” (Song of Sol. 2: 10).

After all the mighty deeds which they had seen (even the dead raised!) the Jews came around the Lord in Solomon’s porch and said, “How long Bost Thou make us to doubt? If Thou be the Christ, tell us plainly.” It was hopeless to reason with obstinate unbelief, accordingly the Lord set them aside as manifestly not of His sheep; but he added words concerning His true sheep, and their security as being both in His hand and in the Father’s hand which have ministered immense comfort to believing hearts from that moment until the present. But when He affirmed “I and the Father are one,” the Jews took up stones to stone Him, and not for the first time (John 10:22-31²²And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. ²³And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. ²⁴Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. ²⁵Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me. ²⁶But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. ²⁷My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: ²⁸And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. ³⁰I and my Father are one. ³¹Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. (John 10:22‑31)).

Another gathering in Solomon’s porch is recorded in Acts 3. The Son of God was no longer there, having returned to His glory by way of the cross and the tomb; but the Holy Spirit’s voice is heard speaking through the humble instrumentality of the fishermen Peter and John. By using in faith the name of Jesus of Nazareth these men had healed a cripple above forty years old who had long lain at the Beautiful gate of the Temple begging. “As he held Peter and John, the people ran together unto them into the porch that is called Solomon’s greatly wondering.” The fishermen, by divine authority, made one of the most important pronouncements that afternoon that have ever been made in this world. After disclaiming all credit to themselves, they gave all the glory of the miracle to the Name of the One, whom Israel had recently killed, but whom God had raised again from the dead. Then they told the people that if they would repent of their terrible sin and, turn to God, He would send Jesus Christ back. We quote from Mr. Darby’s translation: “Repent therefore and be converted, for the blotting out of your sins, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and He may send Jesus Christ, who was fore-ordained for you, whom heaven indeed must receive till the times of the restoration of all things, of which God has spoken by the mouth of His holy prophets since time began” (Acts 3:19-21¹⁹Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; ²⁰And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: ²¹Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (Acts 3:19‑21)).

This amazing overture was in keeping with our Lord’s own words concerning the barren fig-tree in Luke 13:6-9⁶He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. ⁷Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? ⁸And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: ⁹And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down. (Luke 13:6‑9). As the dresser of the vineyard He pleaded for the condemned tree: “let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it and dung it: and if it bear fruit, well: and if not, after that thou shalt cut it down.” The opening chapters of the Book of the Acts furnish the answer to His intercession. Until the death of Stephen a fresh opportunity of blessing was granted to the guilty people; the Gospel was preached “to the Jew first” (Acts 13:46⁴⁶Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. (Acts 13:46)).

What a moment for this world as Peter’s voice rang out in Solomon’s porch! Alas, for the result! The people did not humbly and gratefully welcome it (individuals did); and, their leaders were so furious that they put Peter and John into prison for daring to breathe the hated name of Jesus in Jerusalem.

What more could a long-suffering God do? He sent His Son, His well-beloved, into the world with a message of peace, and men murdered Him. Then He sent His Holy Spirit with a fresh message of peace, and with the offer to send Jesus back if they would repent; but men would have none of it. This is why Israel and the nations suffer through the centuries, with no hope. God’s intervention in power will end it all. When He says, “Give this man place,” all pretenders will be put down, and the over-humbled Jesus will be exalted (Luke 14:9-11⁹And he that bade thee and him come and say to thee, Give this man place; and thou begin with shame to take the lowest room. ¹⁰But when thou art bidden, go and sit down in the lowest room; that when he that bade thee cometh, he may say unto thee, Friend, go up higher: then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee. ¹¹For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. (Luke 14:9‑11)).

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