Mark 6:7-13

Dear congregation, and especially those of you who are about to be confirmed,

Some of you may already be aware that the summer holidays begin in six weeks. Perhaps you are going on holiday, to the Rüstwoche retreat or later to the Kailager camp?
In any case, one thing is clear: you'll need to pack your suitcase. I pack my suitcase and take with me: a hairbrush, sun screen, two T-shirts, my mobile phone charger and whatever else I might need. What can't you do without? 

And when you're packing your things, maybe your gaze will fall on the What Would Jesus Do bracelet and you'll remember your confirmation. The question "What would Jesus do?" occupied us for a whole year. And when I look at our congregation, I see that it can occupy you for a whole lifetime. 

Confirmation is an important step on your journey of faith, and that journey doesn't just end when you leave the church today. It continues if you want it to. 

This is what Jesus did with his disciples:

Reading from Mark 6:6b-13

6b Jesus went to the surrounding villages and spoke to the people there.  

7 And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 

8 He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— 

9 but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. 

10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there. 

11 And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” 

12 So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. 

13 And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them.

He sends the disciples out into the world to tell others how enthusiastic they are. And that it has changed them and how they want it to change others too. 

Three things struck me here:

1. The disciples should not labour in places where they are not welcome. Those who encounter closed ears should move on. Jesus does not talk about turning back, but about looking for another place.
2. Jesus sends the disciples out in pairs. No one has to accomplish the task alone. This way, they can strengthen and encourage each other and reflect on their experiences. 
3. The disciples should travel light, but Jesus equips them spiritually with what they need to reach people. He gives them the authority to show a small part of what Jesus does with people.

And now here you are, 2000 years later. What would Jesus do? I can imagine that Jesus would send you out too. You have spent a year getting to know him, now go and tell others about him. Don't keep it to yourselves, but share it with others. 

We can apply these three points to today. And dear congregation, I think they apply to all of us.

1. Go to places where people want to hear about Jesus. Sometimes you don't have to go very far to do that. The children in Sunday school or at Compass, for example, are open to it. Most of those sitting here in church. Or perhaps there is someone in your circle of friends, at school or at work, at sports or over coffee, who is curious to hear about your experiences with God, what you have to say about Jesus. 

Perhaps in that moment you will heal their feelings of loneliness or share a new perspective.

2. You are not alone in this. Here is a whole congregation full of disciples who walk with you. In community, we can feel strengthened, exchange ideas and also overcome setbacks. There are so many opportunities to walk together, at the Christkindlmarkt, for example. Or for you confirmands at the youth events, the sleepover in November and the Kailager. 
   And if you realise that you need someone to accompany you on your journey of being a Christian in the world, no matter where you are, there are people who will walk with you.
3. Now let's get back to the suitcase. We, too, are spiritually equipped. We have the Holy Spirit to support us. And we have the Bible, which brings us closer to what the disciples experienced live back then.

We can read what Jesus said and did and think about what that could mean for us today.

We got a little insight into this in confirmation class.

All suitcases probably look a little different, but this could be inside:

• Love God, love your neighbour and love yourself.
• Have faith, even in stormy times
• Take an interest in those who are different from you
• Turn the existing order upside down
• Being a Christian means taking risks and living with the consequences
• Share what moves us with God in prayer
• Be a treasure hunter for God 

Dear confirmands, dear congregation, when you leave the church today, the journey continues – your suitcase is packed, your faith is alive. Jesus has faith in you! He sends you out, just as you are, to make your faith visible in the world.

Mark 6:30

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him everything they had done on his behalf and proclaimed to the people. 

Just as the disciples were on their way and later came together again to share their experiences, we also come together here in the congregation to share what we have experienced with one another. 
This applies to the Johannesgemeinde where you are always welcome, and it applies to the worldwide church of Christ. 

So travel light and come back with your suitcases full – we look forward to hearing from you!

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds. He will keep them in communion with Jesus Christ.

Amen.