Day 99: The Word Became Flesh (2026)

On Day 99 of 'The Bible in a Year' podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz launches into the 'Messianic Checkpoint'—a seven-day deep dive into the Gospel of John, marking a pivotal transition from the Old Testament to its fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He emphasizes that Christianity is not a new religion but the fulfillment of God’s promises to Israel, with Jesus as the Word made flesh, the true Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Through readings from John 1–3 and Proverbs 5:1–6, Fr. Mike unpacks key themes: Jesus’ divine identity, the significance of John the Baptist’s testimony, the miracle at Cana, the cleansing of the temple, and the transformative encounter with Nicodemus. He highlights how Jesus’ sacrifice echoes Old Testament imagery—from Abraham and Isaac to the Passover lamb and the bronze serpent—revealing God’s eternal plan to redeem all humanity. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on God’s universal love: though He chose Israel to be a blessing to the nations, His love extends to every person, every race, and every nation through the incarnation of Jesus, the Son of God.