Jesus: I am the vine and you are the branches...this is a counter-cultural message and concept; perhaps one of THE most counter-cultural sayings of Jesus in our cultural landscape/moment in America.
Compare to the idea of being "self-made," pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps, success, achievement, self-worth being located/found in status/success...illustrations abound here, and also create space for the Law to be showcased in a big way.
