Messianic Checkpoint: The Gospel of John (2026)
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In this episode of 'The Bible in a Year' podcast, Fr. Mike Schmitz and guest Jeff Cavins launch into the Gospel of John as the first of four 'messianic checkpoints' in the annual Bible reading journey. They emphasize how the entire Old Testament points to Jesus as its fulfillment, with John’s Gospel uniquely revealing Christ’s divinity through direct declarations, profound teachings, and symbolic miracles. Unlike the synoptic Gospels, John focuses less on Jesus’s actions and more on His identity—'I am' statements that echo God’s self-revelation in Exodus. The episode highlights key themes: Jesus as the divine Son who relives and completes humanity’s story, the centrality of belief and obedience, and the transformative power of grace after failure. The story of the 153 fish and Peter’s restoration after betrayal powerfully illustrate that no one is disqualified from God’s love, no matter their past. The episode closes with a call to encounter Jesus personally, especially through the woman caught in adultery, whose story offers healing from shame and a fresh start.
The Gospel of John uniquely reveals Jesus as God through 'I am' statements and symbolic depth.
All Scripture is Christocentric—pointing to Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament.
Belief in John’s Gospel is not just intellectual assent but a willing, obedient response.
Shame does not disqualify us; Jesus restores those who have failed, especially through love and forgiveness.
The number 153 fish symbolizes 'I am God' in Hebrew, showing divine presence even after human failure.
Launching into the Gospel of John: A Messianic Checkpoint
“All the Old Testament is pointing to the New Testament. All the Old Testament is pointing to Jesus who is the fulfillment of everything.”
John’s Unique Theology: Jesus as God
“In John, we see Jesus as God. In fact, in Matthew's gospel, it starts off with a genealogy and it goes back to the son of David, whereas John starts off and says, in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
The 'I Am' Statements and the Heart of John’s Gospel
The episode explores the seven 'I am' declarations in John, such as 'I am the bread of life' and 'I am the resurrection and the life,' which form a theological portrait of Christ’s divine nature and mission.
The Significance of 153 Fish and Peter’s Restoration
“God is still God even after we've blown it. And maybe people reading with you during this time feel like, I just haven't been the servant of God... Well, this is the book where you have a chance to begin afresh and Jesus says to you, come follow me.”
The Woman Caught in Adultery: Healing from Shame
“I forgive you. I don't condemn you. I go and sin no more. And that being seen. Allowing ourselves to be seen is one of the most powerful remedies for shame.”
“God is still God even after we've blown it. And maybe people reading with you during this time feel like, I just haven't been the servant of God... Well, this is the book where you have a chance to begin afresh and Jesus says to you, come follow me.”
“All the Old Testament is pointing to the New Testament. All the Old Testament is pointing to Jesus who is the fulfillment of everything.”
“I forgive you. I don't condemn you. I go and sin no more. And that being seen. Allowing ourselves to be seen is one of the most powerful remedies for shame.”
Host
Guest
Gospel of John
book
Old Testament
book
Jeff Cavins
person
Fr. Mike Schmitz
person
Simon Peter
person
Woman Caught in Adultery
other
153 Fish
other
Hebrew Language
other
Ascension
organization
Great Adventure Bible Timeline
other
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Day 94: Samson and Delilah (2026)
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