January 2, 2026

22Who is the liar? Whoever denies that Jesus is the Christ. Whoever denies the Father and the Son, this is the antichrist. 23No one who denies the Son has the Father, but whoever confesses the Son has the Father as well. 24Life from God’s Anointing. Let what you heard from the beginning remain in you. If what you heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father. 25And this is the promise that he made us: eternal life. 26I write you these things about those who would deceive you. 27As for you, the anointing that you received from him remains in you, so that you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about everything and is true and not false; just as it taught you, remain in him. 28Children of God. And now, children, remain in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not be put to shame by him at his coming.

1Psalm 98 The Coming of God - A psalm. I - Sing a new song to the LORD, for he has done marvelous deeds. His right hand and holy arm have won the victory. 2The LORD has made his victory known; has revealed his triumph in the sight of the nations, 3He has remembered his mercy and faithfulness toward the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God. 4II - Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.

1In times past, God spoke in partial and various ways to our ancestors through the prophets; 2in these last days, he spoke to us through a son, whom he made heir of all things and through whom he created the universe,

19II. The Book of Signs - John the Baptist’s Testimony to Himself. And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” 20he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted, “I am not the Messiah.” 21So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?” And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” 23He said: “I am ‘the voice of one crying out in the desert, “Make straight the way of the Lord,”’ as Isaiah the prophet said.” 24Some Pharisees were also sent. 25They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?” 26John answered them, “I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, 27the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” 28This happened in Bethany across the Jordan, where John was baptizing.