Zion Lutheran Sioux Falls

Fifth Sunday in Lent

These scriptures form a powerful trajectory from death to life. Ezekiel’s vision of dry bones reveals humanity’s inability to save itself from the "grave" of sin. Romans 8 identifies the solution… the Holy Spirit, who dwells in believers to conquer death. This sequence finds its climax in John 11, where Jesus’ authority over the tomb proves He is the Resurrection and the Life. Every bone gathered and every tear shed leads directly to Christ, who conquers the "final enemy" to give us eternal breath.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Judges 16:4-31.  God grants Samson great strength to defeat the enemies of God’s people. Seeking to overcome Samson, the Philistines bribe Delilah to find the source of Samson’s strength. Samson deceives Delilah each time she tries to uncover the secret, but he finally reveals the key to his power. Shorn and blinded by the Philistines, Samson is brought to entertain thousands of revelers at the feast to Dagon. Identifying the house’s supporting pillars, Samson prays, and God grants him power to bring down the temple, killing everyone.  Samson’s death brought about the temporal rescue of God’s people. Jesus’ sinless sacrifice and death brought about the eternal rescue of God’s people from eternal death.

Third Sunday in Lent

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Judges 4.  Judge Deborah urges Barak to gather 10,000 troops to go up against Sisera’s army of 900 iron chariots. When the battle turns against Sisera, he flees on foot, seeking refuge in Jael’s tent. Snoozing beneath a rug, Sisera meets his end at the hand of Jael as she pegs him through his temple to the ground.  In Christ, God chose to use the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. In Him, we poor sinners are brought high and given a new identity that will never fade.

Second Sunday in Lent

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Joshua 5:13–6:27. Confident in their wall, the people of Jericho shut themselves up inside the city. Following God’s unusual battle plan, Joshua gathers the priests, trumpets, ark of the covenant, and people. Six days they march once around the city, then seven times on the seventh day, giving a shout at the conclusion of the last circuit. The city walls come tumbling down, and the Israelites wipe out the citizens and livestock while plundering precious metals for the tabernacle. Yet Rahab and her family are spared. Christ, the greater Joshua, though He has the power to judge us for our sins also has the power to save. By the cross, He has forgiven God’s children their sins and has promised us deliverance from eternal death.

First Sunday in Lent

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Joshua 2. As they prepare to enter the Promised Land, Joshua sends two spies to explore Jericho. Rahab, a prostitute, first hides the spies from the authorities, and later she helps them escape out her window in the city wall. Because of her faithfulness, the spies promise to spare Rahab and her family when the Israelites come to occupy the city. God saved His spies in Jericho through the unlikely and unexpected Rahab. God has saved us, His people today, through the unexpected and undeserved sacrifice of Jesus Christ.