Through The Bible in a Year - June 11, 2026

"The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away... The servants said to him, 'Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.'" - Matthew 13:24-28

A farmer plants his field with good seed. But while everyone slept, an enemy crept in under cover of darkness and scattered weeds throughout—seeds of destruction sown deliberately among seeds of life.

When the servants discovered the weeds growing alongside the wheat, they came to the master with an anguished question: "Didn't you plant good seed? How did the weeds get here?"

The question in the parable is meant to echo one of the most ancient and desperate questions humanity asks: If God is good; if God is King; if God planted good seed—then how did the weeds get here? How did the cancer get here? How did cruelty get here? How did hatred and oppression and abuse get here?

The Master's answer is simple but profound, and requires acceptance by faith: "An enemy has done this."

We live in a world of weeds. Enemies still threaten to wipe Israel off the map. Cancer wards are full of suffering children. Racism and oppression tear communities apart. Rebellious children break parents' hearts. Cruel bosses. Abusive spouses. Aching bodies. Grieving hearts.

And our hearts naturally question God, as did the servants in Jesus’ parable: "Master, did You not plant good seed? How did this happen?"

The answer hasn't changed: an enemy has done this. Evil is real. The devil is real. The weeds didn't plant themselves.

But notice what the Master doesn't say. He doesn't say, "I didn't see this coming." He doesn't say, "This has ruined My plans." He doesn't panic. He doesn't wring His hands.

He already knows what He's going to do. He is going to mow down the weeds and reap his harvest at the time he knows is right to rescue his people from every evil the enemy caused.

Respond: What weeds are growing in your field right now? What evil, what suffering, what brokenness makes you want to ask God, "Did You not plant good seed here? How did this happen?"

Name it honestly before God. He can handle the question. He's heard it before. And He has an answer—not just "an enemy has done this," but "I know what I'm doing with it."

The weeds don't surprise Him. They don't define His plan. They are not the final word.

This week, bring your "how did this happen?" to God. Pour out your honest confusion, grief, or anger. And then slowly breathe in His response by faith in the God who sent Jesus to endure evil for your eternity. He is saying, "I know. It’s hard, but an enemy did this. Yet, I am still the Master of this field, and I have a plan to help you and never to harm you."

Prayer: Father, I look at my life and my world and I want to ask what the servants asked: "Did You not plant good seed? How did these weeds get here?" The evil is real. The suffering is real. The brokenness is real. Thank You for answering honestly: an enemy has done this. You didn't cause this. But You also aren't surprised by it. You are still the Master of this field. Help me trust that You have a plan even for the weeds and eternal safety for me. In Jesus' name, Amen.