Stroll through Scripture for Sunday, February 1, 2026

Based on John 4:1-42

From Nicodemus in John 3, the Narrative Lectionary moves us to John 4 and the woman at the well in Samaria.  What’s so very interesting is the beginning of both passages.  Nicodemus comes to Jesus in the middle of the night to avoid conflict with his fellow Pharisees.   Here in John 4, Jesus leaves Judea to avoid a premature conflict with the Pharisees. 

Right in John 1 we hear this same theme in the Gospel in verse 10-11:  “He was in the world, and the world came into begin through him, yet the world did not know him.  He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him.”  John’s Gospel tells the story of Jesus’s ministry and his message through the lens of conflict.  We’ve already seen in John’s Gospel and will continue to see it through the entirety of the Gospel.  

In John 6 we’ll hear about disciples who walk away because what Jesus is saying is too difficult to believe.  In John 12, we’ll hear about the plot to kill Lazarus after Jesus raises him from the dead.  The plot will come from the religious leaders.  The conflict will continue in the Temple during Holy Week.  Conflict isn’t the exception to Jesus’s life and ministry; it is a major part of this life.  Here in John 4 we hear about how Jesus manages the conflict.  When the time is right, he will engage in the conflict in his own way.  But before that time, he will avoid it.  This is an important lesson for all of us in this time of division and conflict.  

It can be argued that Jesus knew there would be conflict with the Pharisees and other Jewish leaders – and that they would oppose and reject him.  We read about Jesus knowing in advance about their plots, knowing their hypocrisy, knowing his own mission, and more.  What is the point of conversation with people who are not open to an actual conversation after all?  With people who are so certain they are right, that if you don’t comply with their “rightness” then you are disposable?  I think this is why Jesus was strategic with conflict.  He doesn’t seem interested in trying to change their minds, but rather in offering an alternative to his followers.  His opponents are convinced they are right.  

Further questions for reflection:

• John’s Gospel is set in conflict between Jesus and the religious authorities.  We are in time of great conflict.  What does Jesus’ approach to conflict teach us in this time? 
• Jesus doesn’t always engage with his opponents, mostly because the time isn’t right.  What take away can we learn from this?