John 10:23

Then Jesus walked into the temple and entered Solomon’s porch.  John 10:23 EFP 
 
There does not seem to be much to glean in this verse, other than Jesus walks into the temple and goes into the porch named after King Solomon, who was the one who commissioned the building of the first temple. Is this simply a geographical anchor? Is this only a parenthetical statement of John on his way Corinthians to more important happenings?

I suppose this is possible, but the premise of this slow, verse-by-verse, journey through Scripture is that there is something special to be gleaned from every verse of Scripture; I do not believe this is an exception. I am reminded this moment takes place during the Celebration of Dedication, or Hanukkah. The temple must have been more crowded than usual.  Secondly, this is Solomon’s porch, which is located on the eastern side of the temple’s outer court.

Celebration, lights, Solomon, wisdom—all these words come to mind. I cannot help but feel that Jesus is being very intentional in entering this somewhat cloistered site. The Jewish nation revered the temple, but always considered it a second tier temple compared to the original temple built by Solomon. The prophet Haggai chronicles the thinly veiled disdain the people had for the rebuilt temple. But his prophetic words found in chapter two, verse nine of the Book named after him find their fulfillment in Christ. He is the better Solomon. He is the better temple. He is the Truth. He is wisdom epitomized. He is wisdom, light, life, power, majesty, and soon, the sacrifice for all ages, all wrapped into a mysterious God-man.

Jesus is in the room, and He is on a mission. Every step he takes, now more than ever, carries special significance. Every word is spoken in the approaching shadow of the cross he will soon bear, even as takes upon himself the sins of all of humanity, past and future. Wow!