The Root and the Branches

God speaks to us in the Word of God using a few common metaphors to help us understand His message more clearly.

One of the most frequently used pictures comes from the world of agriculture. It’s that of the tree and its branches. You may or may not have a green thumb, plants may thrive in your care or die as soon as you look at them, but the fact is, we all understand that the branches are nourished from the roots and no matter how strong a branch may be, it doesn’t support the tree. The tree supports the branches.

Paul is going to use that common metaphor to help us understand not only our connection to Jesus Christ, but to the patriarch Abraham and the kind of faith that saved him and saves us.