Daily Bible Reading, December 2022: God’s Renewing Word of JoySmakprov

December 26 Introduction Today’s reading begins with John the Baptist being questioned by the religious authorities who wish to know if he is the Messiah. John responds by saying he is not. When John sees Jesus the next day, he testifies that Jesus is the Son of God. Scripture Reading John 1:19-34 Today’s Key Verse: John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “There is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” Reflect What questions do the religious leaders ask John? How does John respond? What does John say about Jesus? Accounts of Jesus’s baptism by John are recorded in Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, and Luke 3:21-22. Here, in today’s reading, John testifies to Jesus’s baptism (verses 32-34). What does John say? You may wish to compare his testimony with what is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Pray Lord Jesus, you are indeed the Lamb of God who takes away my sin. You willingly sacrificed your life for my sake and rose again to free me from bondage to sin and death and grant me eternal life. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for loving me so. Amen. And now, join us in a prayer of thanksgiving for the new Korean translation of the Bible in South Korea. Gracious God, last year a new translation of the Bible, the New Korean Translation, became available in South Korea. The previous version of the Bible had been revised in the late 1990s, but our prayer, Lord God, is one of hope that this new translation will make the Bible more accessible to younger generations and those unaccustomed to reading the previous Bible translation. We thank you, Lord God, for the generosity of Bible Society supporters who enable translation of the Holy Scriptures to continue so that all people will come to know the hope that comes from your Word and of the love and salvation you offer through your Son, Jesus. Amen. Tomorrow’s Reading John 1:35-51: Jesus calls his first disciples.