“Seeds fall by the wayside” was a newspaper headline above an article about tennis at Wimbledon! [ See Matthew chapter 13 verse 4 ] This of course was a quote from some words of Jesus when He was referring to the Word of God falling upon deaf ears.

Jesus said, “My words shall not pass away.” [ Matthew 24:35 ] This is still true today through people often unconsciously quoting the words of Jesus in ordinary conversation. For example someone may decide not to retaliate so they say, “I’ll turn the other cheek.” [ Matthew 5:39 ] Another person wishes to praise a very conscientious man so they say, “He’s the salt of the earth.” [ Matthew 5:13 ] Because salt helps to prevent corruption this metaphor used by Jesus brilliantly portrays a person of great integrity.

Jesus said to His disciples, “The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.” [ Matthew 26:41 ] Many sick people can say this truthfully but others use it as an excuse for laziness! Sometimes people talk about a dodgy building or policy being, “Built on sand” then collapsing. [ Matthew 7:26 ] This is a warning but also a reminder that the only sure foundation for us to build our lives upon is the teaching, example, death and resurrection of Jesus.

He’s “Hiding his light under a bushel” [ Matthew 5:15 ] is often used to describe someone who is not using the talents God has given him. Another saying still used today is “He passed by on the other side.” [ Luke 10:31 ] This is always appropriate to describe a hit and run driver or some other callous person.

Finally let’s learn from the parable of the farmer who had a bumper harvest but decided to store it up for many years saying, “Eat, drink and be merry”. [ Luke 12:16-21 ] That night he died and God called him a fool! Many still say, “I’ll eat, drink and be merry” and foolishly waste the years God has given them.