
A New Heart, A New Covenant | Jeremiah 31 & Luke 22 | Maundy Thursday
In this Maundy Thursday meditation, Pastor Mark Groen walks through Jeremiah 31:31–34 and Luke 22:7–20, showing how the promised new covenant was fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. As we remember the Last Supper and prepare our hearts to receive the Lord’s Supper, we are reminded that the law has been written on our hearts, our sins have been forgiven, and the covenant has been sealed in His blood. Come in remembrance, rest, and joy—Christ has done it all.

The Road to Redemption | Day 44: Luke 22:39-71 – Gethsemane, Betrayal, and the Suffering Servant
In the reading for today, we witness Jesus’ prayer in Gethsemane, His betrayal, arrest, and the beginnings of His trial. These events reveal His submission to the Father’s will, the frailty of His followers, and the injustice He endures for the sake of our redemption.

The Road to Redemption | Day 43: Luke 22:24-38 – True Greatness and the Call to Servanthood
Here in the middle of Luke 22, Jesus teaches His disciples about true greatness, servanthood, and the challenges they will face as His followers. These verses highlight the contrast between worldly values and the values of God’s kingdom.

The Road to Redemption | Day 42: Luke 22:1-23 – The Passover and the Promise of Redemption
Here in the first part of Luke 22, the final events leading to Jesus’ crucifixion begin to unfold, highlighting themes of betrayal, sacrifice, and the inauguration of the new covenant. These verses call us to reflect on the depth of Jesus’ love and His unwavering commitment to God’s redemptive plan.

The Road to Redemption | Day 41: Luke 21:1-38 – Faithfulness in Trials and the Certainty of Christ’s Coming
In Luke 21, Jesus provides profound lessons on sacrificial giving, the coming judgment, and the need for vigilance as we await His return. The passage emphasizes trust in God and faithfulness in uncertain times.
The widow’s offering demonstrates the heart of true generosity. Unlike the rich who give from their abundance, the widow gives all she has, trusting God to provide. This act of faith challenges us to consider whether our giving reflects a reliance on God or merely a surplus of resources.

The Road to the Cross | 5 Devotions on Christ’s Humble Kingship and Saving Mission
As Jesus entered Jerusalem, the crowds cried out with palm branches in hand, expecting a king who would meet their hopes for power, victory, and restoration. But Jesus came not to meet their expectations—He came to meet their need. He came not to claim a throne of gold, but to walk the road to the cross.

The Road to the Cross | John 12:12-19 | When Jesus Disrupts Our Expectations
What kind of King are you looking for?
On Palm Sunday, the crowds welcomed Jesus with palm branches and shouts of “Hosanna,” expecting a political hero. But Jesus didn’t come to sit on a throne of gold—He came to bear a cross of wood. In this message, Pastor Mark explores the triumphal entry through the lens of Scripture, helping us see the tension between our expectations and God’s redemptive plan.

The Road to Redemption | Day 40: Luke 20:19-47 – Honor God, Trust in the Resurrection, and Live with Integrity
In the reading today, Jesus continues to face challenges from the religious leaders, yet He masterfully exposes their hypocrisy and teaches about God’s kingdom, authority, and the priorities of true discipleship.
The Pharisees and Herodians attempt to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar. Jesus’ response, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s,” reveals His wisdom and authority. This teaches that while believers are called to honor earthly authorities, their ultimate allegiance belongs to God, whose image they bear.

The Road to Redemption | Day 39: Luke 20:1-18 – Opposing Jesus’ Authority and the Parable of the Tenants
Here in the first part of Luke 20, Jesus faces opposition from the religious leaders, teaches about His divine authority, and uses a parable to reveal their rejection of God’s plan. The passage underscores the importance of recognizing and submitting to Christ’s authority.
The religious leaders challenge Jesus’ authority, asking who gave Him the right to teach and perform miracles. Instead of answering directly, Jesus poses a question about John the Baptist’s authority, exposing their hypocrisy and fear of public opinion. This exchange reveals that their opposition is rooted in pride and unbelief rather than a genuine desire for truth.

The Road to Redemption | Day 38: Luke 19:28-48 – Recognizing the True King and Responding with Worship
At the end of Luke19, Jesus enters Jerusalem as the humble yet triumphant King and expresses both sorrow and righteous anger, revealing His authority and the heart of His mission.
The triumphal entry fulfills Zechariah’s prophecy of the King coming in humility, riding on a colt. The crowds praise Jesus, proclaiming Him as the one who comes in the name of the Lord, yet their understanding of His kingship is incomplete. While they anticipate a political deliverer, Jesus comes to bring peace with God through His sacrificial death. The Pharisees’ opposition reflects the spiritual blindness that resists His authority, but Jesus declares that creation itself would cry out if they remained silent.

The Road to Redemption | Day 37: Luke 19:1-27 – The Call to Repentance and Faithful Service
Here in this passage, Jesus reveals the nature of His mission and kingdom through two encounters: Zacchaeus’ transformation and the parable of the ten minas. Together, these passages emphasize repentance, stewardship, and readiness for Christ’s return.
Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector, climbs a tree to see Jesus, demonstrating both his determination and humility. When Jesus invites Himself into Zacchaeus’ home, the crowd grumbles, but Zacchaeus responds with repentance and generosity, vowing to give half of his wealth to the poor and repay fourfold what he has taken dishonestly. Jesus declares that salvation has come to his house, reaffirming His mission to "seek and to save the lost." This encounter highlights the transformative power of grace and the fruit of true repentance.

The Road to Redemption | Day 36: Luke 18:31-43 – Spiritual Blindness and the Healing Power of Faith
In the last part of Luke 18, Jesus again foretells His death and resurrection, emphasizing the purpose of His mission and the fulfillment of prophecy. He takes the twelve aside and speaks plainly about what will happen in Jerusalem: He will be mocked, insulted, flogged, killed, and rise on the third day. Yet, the disciples fail to understand, as the meaning is hidden from them. This highlights the mystery of God’s redemptive plan, which is only fully revealed through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The Road to Redemption | Day 35: Luke 18:1-30 – The Power of Persistent Prayer and Childlike Dependence
In Luke 18:1-30, Jesus teaches about persistent prayer, humility, dependence, and the priorities of His kingdom. The parable of the persistent widow illustrates the importance of perseverance in prayer. The widow’s unwavering plea for justice is rewarded by an unjust judge, and Jesus contrasts this with the character of God, who is just and compassionate. This parable encourages believers to pray persistently and trust that God hears and responds according to His will.

The Road to Redemption | Day 34: Luke 17:1-37 – Living with Gratitude and Watchfulness for the Kingdom
In this chapter of Luke, Jesus teaches about faith, forgiveness, gratitude, and readiness for His kingdom. He begins with a warning about causing others to stumble, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of leading others in righteousness. Jesus then calls His disciples to a life of forgiveness, urging them to forgive repeatedly, reflecting God’s boundless mercy.

The Day of the Lord: Malachi 3:13-4:6 | 5 Devotions on Repentance, Renewal, and Righteousness
These five devotions are drawn from the sermon on Malachi 3:13–4:6, a passage that reminds us that the Lord sees, remembers, and distinguishes between the faithful and the wicked. Through promises of coming justice and images of springtime joy, God invites His people to return to Him—not in shame, but in grace. Whether you feel weary from the apparent success of the wicked or distant from God because of your own distractions, this short series will help reorient your heart to the hope found in Christ. Take time each day to hear His call, to reflect on His Word, and to rejoice in the mercy of the Sun of Righteousness who rises with healing in His wings.

The Day of the Lord: Malachi 3:13-4:6 | Light Breaking Through the Darkness
Is it really worth it to follow God when the wicked seem to win? In this powerful and hope-filled conclusion to the book of Malachi, we see that God is not blind to injustice nor forgetful of faithfulness. He promises that the Day of the Lord is coming—a day when the arrogant will face judgment, and the faithful will leap like calves set free.
The same God who calls His people to remember and return also provides the mercy we so desperately need in Jesus Christ. This sermon unpacks the final words of the Old Testament, showing us how the story points forward to Christ, the true Sun of Righteousness, who brings healing in His wings.

The Road to Redemption | Day 33: Luke 16:1-31 – Living with Eternity in View
In today’s reading, Jesus teaches on stewardship, faithfulness, and the eternal consequences of our choices. The parable of the dishonest manager challenges us to think carefully about how we use worldly resources. Although the manager’s actions were unjust, his shrewdness in preparing for the future is commended. Jesus uses this example to encourage His followers to be wise and purposeful in using their resources for eternal purposes, reminding us that we cannot serve both God and money.

The Road to Redemption | Day 32: Luke 15:1-32 – Rejoicing in the Restoration of the Lost
Luke 15 contains three parables that highlight the joy of God in seeking and saving the lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Together, they reveal the heart of God for sinners and challenge us to share His compassion and joy in their restoration.
The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin emphasize God’s initiative in seeking the lost. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the one, and the woman diligently searches for her coin. Both celebrate when what was lost is found, illustrating the rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. These parables remind us that God’s love is personal and persistent, pursuing those who are far from Him.

The Road to Redemption | Day 31: Luke 14:1-35 – Humility, Generosity, and the Cost of Discipleship
Here in Luke 14, Jesus teaches about humility, generosity, and the cost of discipleship. The chapter begins with Jesus healing a man on the Sabbath, challenging the Pharisees’ legalism and exposing their hypocrisy. His actions remind us that God’s law is meant to bring restoration, not burdens, and that mercy is at the heart of His kingdom.
At a banquet, Jesus uses the setting to teach about humility. He urges guests to take the lowest place, reflecting a heart that seeks God’s glory rather than self-promotion. Similarly, He calls hosts to invite the poor, crippled, and marginalized, demonstrating generosity without expecting repayment. These teachings challenge us to reflect God’s grace by seeking the good of others and extending hospitality to those who cannot repay.

The Road to Redemption | Day 30: Luke 13:18-35 – Embracing the Kingdom’s Call and Urgency
In today’s reading, Jesus describes the nature of God’s kingdom and issues a call to enter through the narrow door. The parables of the mustard seed and the leaven illustrate the kingdom’s seemingly small beginnings and its transformative power. Though it starts small, the kingdom grows expansively, reaching people from every nation and bringing radical change to the hearts of those who belong to it.