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I. OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IS GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE.

1. He is so manifestly because He is God. He who dwells in the house is greater than the house in which He dwells, so that as God Jesus is greater than the temple. The Divine must be greater than any human workmanship; the self-existent must excel the noblest created thing. The temple was many years in building, and came to an end. Christ is from everlasting to everlasting. Hence our Lord's authority was greater than that of the temple.

2. He is greater than the temple, for He is a more glorious enshrinement of Deity. "In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily." The manifestation of the Godhead in Christ is approachable.

3. Our Lord is a fuller manifestation of the truth than the temple was. The temple was full of instruction; but all in type. Christ says, "He that hath seen Me hath seen the Father."

4. Because He is a more abiding evidence of Divine favour.

5. Because He is a more sure place of consolation.

6. Because He is a more glorious centre of worship.

II. JESUS OUGHT TO BE REGARDED AS GREATER THAN THE TEMPLE,

1. We ought to think of Him with greater joy than even the Jews did of the greater and beautiful house.

2. We ought to consider Him with greater wonder than that with which men surveyed the temple.

3. He ought to be visited with greater frequency.

4. He ought to be reverenced with greater solemnity.

5. He ought to be honoured with higher service.

6. He ought to be sought with more vehement desire.

III. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS.

1. HOW carefully should the laws of Jesus Christ be observed.

2. How much more ought we to value Christ than any outward ordinance.

3. How much more important that you should go to Christ than that you should go to any place which you suppose to be the house of God.

(C. H. Spurgeon.)

I. THE SUPERIORITY OF CHRIST TO THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM. His superiority in those respects which distinguish that temple above all others.

1. It was built under the immediate and special direction of God.

2. It was furnished with everything that was requisite to the purpose of its erection as it regards both God and man.

3. It was adorned with a visible symbol of the Divine presence.

4. It was frequented by all the tribes of Israel as the place set apart for their religious worship.

II. INFERENCES.

1. His lordship over the conscience. Every human authority must yield to His.

2. His power to bestow all spiritual blessing — peace, strength, glory.

(1)  How signal are our privileges!

(2)  How solemn is our responsibility!

(Various.)

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KJV: But I say unto you, That in this place is one greater than the temple.

WEB: But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here.