Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (Posted each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.
Today, we reflect on Jesus clearing the temple as he arrives in Jerusalem in Luke 19:45-48. We ask the question: How does Jesus want to ‘clear the temple’ of my life, and how can I help others experience His cleansing work?
You can watch this devotional below.
‘When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. 46 “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be a house of prayer’; but you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” 47 Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. 48 Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.’ (Luke 19:45-48)
1. What is the background to this event?
To fully grasp this moment, we need to see its prophetic significance. Malachi had foretold it:
“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years.” (Malachi 3:1-4)
Jesus is "the Lord" coming to His temple. Though He entered Jerusalem humbly on a donkey, He comes with full authority—this is His house! Jesus’ righteous anger burns because the temple has been corrupted. It was meant to be a place of worship but had become a marketplace. His words fulfil Isaiah 56:7:
“These I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” (Isaiah 56:7)
God’s vision was for all nations to worship Him. But the Jewish leaders had turned the Court of the Gentiles—the only space for non-Jews to worship—into a marketplace. Jesus was outraged because they had blocked the nations from seeking God.
Beyond cleansing the temple, Jesus’ actions also anticipate its coming destruction in AD 70 and the establishment of a new covenant. Worship will no longer be tied to a physical building, but through Him, we become God’s dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16).
2. Jesus continues to build and clear His prayer house
This isn’t just a past event—it reveals Jesus' ongoing work today. He still cleanses hearts, sanctifies His people, and gathers the nations into His temple, and to be his temple. Paul speaks of the ongoing international prayer house-building ministry:
‘Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’ (Ephesians 2:19-22)
4. Our response
How does Jesus want to ‘clear the temple’ of my life, and how can I help others experience His cleansing work?
How does Jesus want to clear the temple of my life?
Am I sinning wilfully and so cluttering the courts of God?
Am I devoted to God’s prayer house? Am I devoted to worshipping and praying with my Local church?
How can I help others to become a part of this prayer house? Am I praying and am I sharing the gospel by which people become ‘living stones’ in God’s house?
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.
On Sunday, we explored Luke 19:28–20:19, where Jesus, approaching the climax of His ministry, enters Jerusalem, clears the temple, and begins teaching. This passage includes The Parable of the Vineyard (or Tenants) in Luke 20:9–19, which we will examine in the devotionals (Please ensure people know where to find these).
At its heart, this parable reveals that God's people are called to bear fruit for Him. True fruitfulness comes when Jesus enters the ‘temple’ of our hearts—cleansing, renewing, and empowering us to live for His purposes.
Discussion:
Luke 19:28–44 (The Triumphal Entry)
What are the key elements of this moment, and what do they teach us?
How can we embody the lessons of this profound episode in our daily lives?
Luke 19:45–48 (Jesus Cleanses the Temple)
What does this powerful confrontation reveal about God's heart and priorities?
How should we respond personally and as a church?
How can we actively participate in building Jesus’ vision for a “house of prayer for all nations”?
SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)
Mission inspiration from the text - What do The Triumphal Entry and Jesus Cleansing the Temple teach us about becoming more effective in evangelism? How do these episodes shape our approach to sharing the gospel?
Share Stories – Have you had any recent experiences of Serving, Investing, or Inviting someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.
Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Discuss and pray for those you regularly engage with, including any ‘people of peace’ (* See note) in your life—those open to you and the gospel.
Let’s pray together:
Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.
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