Zion Lutheran Sioux Falls

All Saints' Day

The Reading of the Day is from Genesis 39:20–23; 41:9–49. Falsely accused, Joseph finds himself in prison interpreting dreams for Pharaoh’s baker and cupbearer. When the Egyptian pharaoh has troubling dreams, God empowers Joseph to explain the visions. Pharaoh appoints him to the second highest position in the land, and Joseph manages the harvest to endure the coming famine. God reversed the fortunes of Joseph, turning his bad situation into a good one. Christ humbled Himself for us, dying on a cross and rising again to new life, and in doing so has turned our bad situation of being slaves to sin and death into the good situation of being adopted children of God.

Reformation Sunday

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Genesis 29:1-30. Jacob experiences love at first sight when he meets Rachel at the well. Welcomed into his uncle Laban’s household, Jacob agrees to work seven years in order to marry Rachel. When the wedding celebration finally arrives, Laban tricks Jacob into marrying Rachel’s older sister, Leah. Realizing the deception, Jacob confronts his uncle, who gives him Rachel’s hand for another seven years of service. Christ came into the world through this broken family of liars and deceivers. He, however, is sinless and perfect, and has come to restore us to a perfect relationship with the heavenly Father.

19th Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Genesis 25:19–34; 27:1–45. When Isaac is sixty years old, Rebekah gives birth to very different twin boys—Esau and Jacob. Isaac ignores God’s promise to Jacob and favors Esau. Esau’s hunger gets the best of him as he sells his birthright for a bowl of stew. Rebekah enables further deception as she plots with Jacob, her favored son, so that he receives Isaac’s blessing. When Esau vows to kill Jacob, Rebekah sends Jacob away for his own safety. Isaac and Rebekah’s family was unfaithful to God and to one another. Jesus, the ultimate fulfillment of the promised line of Isaac, was faithful to God in ways His ancestors were not.

18th Sunday After Pentecost

The Reading of the Day is from Genesis 24:1–4, 10–28, 50–67. Abraham tasks a faithful servant with finding a wife for Isaac from Abraham’s homeland. The servant prays for a sign and waits at a well outside the city of Nahor. Rebekah appears, offering to draw water for both man and beast—the sign the servant had asked for. Rebekah invites the servant to come to her family home. Having received gifts from Abraham, Rebekah’s family sends her to Isaac with their blessings. God provided a bride for Isaac and so supported His promise to Abraham. Christ is our Bridegroom, who will return one day for the Bride, His Church, and will take us to our eternal dwelling.

Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

Our Bible Reading of the Day is Genesis 22:1-19. God had blessed Abraham with the son he had waited for his entire life; yet now God asks the seemingly impossible—sacrifice your son to Me. By faith, Abraham takes Isaac to the mountain, trusting God, who was able to raise his son from the dead. Abraham completes the test, and God provides the sacrifice. Christ is the ultimate sacrifice, substituting His perfect, sinless life for our sinful lives to save us from the just wrath of God for eternity.