Sermon - John 17:1-11

<p>I know that one of the things we deeply grieve during this pandemic time is our inability to gather as people of faith.  We are made to live in <strong>relationship</strong> with others and we grieve not being able to physically be together in community.  One major theme throughout the gospel of John is <strong>relationships</strong>.  John’s gospel is all about the relationship of God with the person of Jesus Christ, and God’s relationship with humanity.  In fact, we can say John’s gospel is about God’s relationship with all of creation, with the cosmos.  The gospel of John is all about God revealing God’s glory, the very nature of God’s self, and God’s love for the cosmos as seen through the relationship of love shown to us in the person of Jesus.  If you recall the first words of John’s gospel, you will remember it begins by revealing something about <strong>relationship</strong>.  We read:</p> <p>In the <strong>beginning</strong> was the Word, and the Word was <strong>with</strong> God, and the Word <strong>was</strong> God.  He was in the beginning <strong>with</strong> God.  All things came into being <strong>through</strong> him, and <strong>without</strong> him not one thing came into being.  What has come into being <strong>in</strong> him was <strong>life</strong>, and the <strong>life</strong> was the light of all people.  The light shines in the darkness and the darkness did not overcome it.</p> <p> </p> <p>Did you hear all the words that reveal a sense of <strong>relationship</strong>?  The Word was <strong>with</strong> God!  Everything that is created came into being <strong>because</strong> of God’s desire for <strong>relationship</strong>.  And, this relationship brings <strong>life</strong>, life that truly matters.  It is about relationship that is life-giving. </p> <p>In John, while the imagery varies like the different instruments of an orchestral piece, the same theme regarding <strong>relationship</strong> is repeated throughout the gospel, and the melody of that theme is clearly heard i