The word for this week is a little odd! We'll be looking at the word "porch". It's found in these New Testament verses:
Matthew 26:71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. KJV
Mark 14:68 But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. KJV
John 10:23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. KJV
Acts 3:11 And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. KJV
Acts 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. 12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. KJV
In Matthew the word is "pulon". Strong's Concordance says: a gateway, doorway of a building, a prtal, a vestibule. Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds: a large gate of a palace, the anterior part of a house. In Mark the Greek word is "proaulion". Strong's Concordance says: a compound word meaning a forecourt, a vestibule (alleyway). Vine's Expository Dictionary says: the exterior court, between the door and the street. In John and Acts we have the Greek word "stoa". Strong's Concordance says: a colonnade or interior piazza. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: a portico, a covered colonnade where people can stand or walk protected from the weather and the heat of the sun. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: is used of the porches at the pool of Bethesda, the covered in the Temple colonnade called "Solomon's Porch". With each Greek word used there is a slightly different picture of what we are speaking of. In all of these, the porch was a place to go to either get away, to get comfortable, to hide, or to be seen and heard.
The song we'll be hearing this week is a new one by Hillsong Young and Free, the Youth Group of Hillsong Church. Listening to this took me back to when Kori was in High School. Her whole group of friends were, for the most part, good kids who loved just coming to our place in the summer and hanging out. We had a 24' pool, picnic tables and Kori had a trampoline. They would just bring their own cases of soda and snacks, play music and sit around on one of the three picnic tables and talk. We were happy that they were here so we could keep an eye, and ear, on things! Young people now have a much more complicated life with all that is going on in the world, but some things don't change! Kids are still looking for answers, want to have fun and friends. Your beautiful daughters, with their different and unique personalities, interests, dreams and goals, will present you and Kristine with some challenges and tons of good times! This song is called "World Outside Your Window" and speaks of reaching those young people!
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
