Relational Currency

As I was reading about how the crowds followed Jesus in Mark 1, I wondered what we as his followers have to offer people so that they want to follow us. The context of the passage seems to imply that the draw was two-fold. First, they were curious because of the unique nature of his teaching. Jesus' approach to the religious crowd was very unlike his contemporaries. He did not quote other teachers or quibble about secondary issues. Instead, he focused on God's overarching meta narrative of redemption and freedom from seemingly inescapable circumstances of fear and oppression by religion and demons. Second, he displayed the power behind his teaching by actually healing the demonized and lepers. This was an impossible task apart from the supernatural ability of God.

On to us...
What do we have, in Jesus, that the religious and non-religious, don't? I make the following suggestions. First, in Jesus, we have a holy dissatisfaction with the business as usual, get by, maintainence mentality. Religion is dead (another blog for another day) and relationships are in. Empty tradition is out, adventure is where it's at. Lifeless church going is boring, exciting experiences are attractive. People, particularly young adults and teens, are starving to death for relationships, adventure and excitement. We, as Jesus followers, have access to all these things. We have reconciliation with God and each other (relationships). There is a great mission that is risky and downright insane that we're called to (adventure). Our leader beckons us to love him with all our mind, body, soul, heart, etc. (excitement). The question then becomes, why do so many churches, have to create gimicks, hype, or continue to live in the past, thinking that will be effective in impacting the world?
Of course, I've got some ideas about how to do this, and I'm trying them out. But the point for all of us is to ask, "How does a life lived like Jesus look in my situation?" In faith, we must evaluate our own situations (individually and corporately) then begin to make the necessary changes to move forward. As we build relational currency with people through the avenues created by the gospel, lives will be changed.