What Jesus Did! 'Passion for the House of God' — John 2:17

Thursday, February 5, 2026

[After Jesus cleared the Temple of the money changers and animals,] his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion for God's house will consume me."
— John 2:17 NLT

Key Thought

What's your passion? Does your passion include God's house, the temple where he lives today, his people? [1]

Jesus was "done in" by his holy passion for God's business and God's house. Jesus' clearing of the Temple was one thing that led the Jewish leaders to want to kill him. [2] If we follow the mock trial of Jesus leading to his crucifixion, the false basis of his execution was partially rooted in the Jewish council's misunderstanding about the Temple when Jesus said about his body, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." [3]

So let me ask you again, what is your passion? Life without passion is flat and boring. Life with the wrong passion is dissipated on destructive pursuits. But when life is built around godly passion, it produces a permanent impact. What's your passion?

[1] 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20.
[2] Mark 11:15-18.
[3] John 2:19-21; Mark 14:55-58.

Today's Prayer

Father, give me a fervent passion for your people, your work, and your Kingdom. Through your Holy Spirit, stoke the fires of my heart to live with a holy passion for you and your people. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

2 Related Resources by Heartlight

I Wonder Why...
Article by Bill Brant
Why don't we react as they do? Should we not be more than verbally “outraged” when others burn, mock or destroy elements of faith that are precious to us who claim to follow Christ? In our antichristian world aren’t we expected to stand up and stand firm for what we believe in?
To Benefit Them!
Article by Byron Ware
Preparing my mouth for marriage... and beyond! Byron Ware reminds us of the vital importance of how we communicate both in the words we choose to say, not speak, and the non-verbals we use as we speak them.

Illustration

Illustration of John 2:17 NLT — [After Jesus cleared the Temple of the money changers and animals,] his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: "Passion for God's house will consume me."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Thursday, February 5, 2026

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Christ, Our Measuring Stick' (2 Co. 10:7-14)
"Dear Father, source of our joy and our pride, Sometimes we are blind. We don't see what is right before our eyes. Help us to look that we may see,..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'The News Spread Quickly' (Acts 11:1)
"Soon the news reached the apostles and other believers in Judea that the Gentiles had received the word of God."
Daily Wisdom
A daily devotional featuring wise counsel found in Scripture.
Deuteronomy 4:29
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'Rise Up!' (Ps. 21:13)
"Rise up, O Lord, in all your power. With music and singing we celebrate your mighty acts."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!