03/31/2026
Matthew 24 and Matthew 25:1-46
It’s Holy Week, and Jesus has finally arrived in Jerusalem. He set out resolutely, and needed every ounce of that resolution to arrive, but now the stakes are infinitely higher.
Palm Sunday was a triumphal entry into the city, yet it set Jesus’s enemies on high alert. On Monday, Jesus caused chaos in the Temple when he kicked out vendors who were ripping off poor worshippers—and he ended up creating even more enemies.
Today, as Good Friday approaches, we wait in the temporary calm of Olive Tuesday.
Over the past decade-plus, I’ve gotten to know olive orchards more than I ever would have predicted. My wife, D’Aun, planted an olive grove and now produces award-winning olive oil. It’s a hobby, not a full-time job, but it still means pulling weeds, fixing irrigation lines, battling gophers, and harvesting olives. Despite the hard work, there’s a unique peace in the olive grove.
When working in the grove, I sometimes imagine how much fun it would be to show Jesus around. I wonder what his reaction might be. I envision showing him the variety of trees, our owl boxes, the creek that flows nearby, and the snowy plover eggs camouflaged beneath the trees. We would talk about water problems, how to handle the gophers, and preparations for harvest. And sometimes we would simply walk the rows in silence and enjoy the simple beauty of an orchard.
Throughout it all, I imagine Jesus asking me layered questions. Jesus loved to ask questions, and they often pushed people deeper than the surface meaning. If he asked, “How does the harvest look this year?” what would my response be? Or, “What’s the source of your water?” Or, “How do you remove the weeds without harming the wildflowers?”
Knowing me, I’d probably launch directly into the practical answer with the air of someone who has it all figured out. I’d guess Jesus would nod without responding. During that silence, I’d reflect on the true meaning of his question. And then, feeling a bit embarrassed, I’d more humbly say, “But that’s not what you’re really asking, is it?”
He’d look at me, smile, and probably say something that would make me think for the rest of the week or the rest of my life.
Today’s scripture, “The Olivet Discourse” in Matthew 24 and 25, was probably an evening discussion between Jesus and his disciples as they sat together in a grove on the Mount of Olives. As they talked, they could see the Temple and the busy city of Jerusalem across the valley.
In just a few days, Jesus will pray and be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, among olive trees on that same Mount.
This Lent, even as the staggering events of the weekend approach, let’s take a moment to sit with Jesus, or walk with him. Among trees, if we can, but for sure in trust and openness. What is he asking us? What is he inviting us to do?
(Roy Goble is the author of several books, including the devotion book Junkyard Wisdom Lent (which you should buy and use for Lent this year!). He is the co-founder of PathLight International and runs a real estate investment company in Northern California. Roy follows Jesus in his own weird, honest, confused way, which he hopes keeps his writing authentic for you. He is easily bribed with good wine, pictures of golden retrievers, and dad jokes. Roy has been married to his high school sweetheart for over forty years, and they have two adult children, one son-in-law, and one incredibly cute granddaughter.)
