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1. The presence of Jesus brings into prominence —

(1)  The place: "at Jerusalem, in the Temple."

(2)  The exact part of it: "Solomon's porch."

(3)  The time: "winter."

(4)  The proceedings: "feast of Dedication."

2. The main feature in all history, and in the event of every life, is the presence or absence of Jesus.

I. WILL HE BE HERE? The place may be a very Jerusalem, our meetingplace may be a temple, it may be a high day, but will He be with us? It may be cold and wintry; but what of that if He be here? Our own eager inquiry is about His presence, and we feel sure that He will come, feral. We have invited Him, and He will not refuse His friends.

2. We are prepared for Him, and 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, and these bring Him in them; indeed, He is in them.

5. We have those here whom He is seeking — lost sheep.

6. He has premised to come (Matthew 13:20).

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 favour.

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 —

(1)  The Temple (Hebrews 9:11; Revelation 15:5).

(2)  The altar (Hebrews 13:10; Revelation 3:3).

(3)  The Sacrifice (Hebrews 9:23; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

(4)  The shewbread (Hebrews 9:2).

(5)  The veil (Hebrews 10:20).

(6)  The ark and mercy seat (Hebrews 9:4, 5; Revelation 10:19).

(7)  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).

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

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KJV: And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

WEB: It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem.