If you read all of Paul’s letters back-to-back, you will
see something more powerful than theology.
You will see a man absolutely captivated by Jesus Christ.
He does not just preach about Jesus—he lives for Him.
Paul calls Him Lord, Savior, Head of the Church, Justifier, Mediator, Redeemer,
and Returning King.
But beyond the titles, Paul shows us what Jesus means to him personally.
Jesus is not a theme in Paul’s writings.
He is the thread.
The source.
The center.
The everything.
Jesus,
the Risen Lord Who Met Paul in Mercy
It started on the road to Damascus.
Paul was a persecutor. A threat. A man full of zeal—but blind.
And then came Jesus.
“Last of all, as to one untimely born,
He appeared also to me.” (1 Corinthians 15:8)
That moment marked Paul forever.
Jesus met him with power and grace.
He did not shame him. He called him.
From that point forward, Paul's mission was clear:
Know Jesus.
Preach Jesus.
Become like Jesus.
Jesus,
the Center of Paul’s Gospel
Paul makes it known: the gospel is not a message about
doing better.
It is the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus—given freely, received
by faith.
“For I resolved to know nothing while
I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
(1 Corinthians 2:2)
Jesus is not a footnote.
He is the foundation.
- In Romans, Jesus is our righteousness.
- In Galatians, Jesus is our freedom.
- In Ephesians, Jesus is our peace.
- In Colossians, Jesus is the fullness of God.
Everything Paul taught points back to this one truth:
Jesus saves. Jesus transforms. Jesus reigns.
Jesus,
the Example Paul Followed
Paul did not just worship Jesus—he imitated Him.
“Follow my example, as I follow the
example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1)
Jesus shaped how Paul:
- Served others
- Endured suffering
- Spoke truth
- Lived in humility
- Walked in love
For Paul, maturity looked like conformity to Christ.
The more you grow, the more you look like Jesus.
Not in perfection—but in posture.
In purpose.
In daily pursuit.
Jesus,
the Returning King Paul Lived For
Paul never stopped talking about the return of Jesus.
It was not fear-based. It was hope-filled.
“There is laid up for me the crown of
righteousness... and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His
appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:8)
This is how Paul endured beatings, prisons, betrayal, and
loneliness.
He knew Jesus was coming again.
And he wanted to be found faithful.
Jesus,
the Everything Paul Wanted Us to See
Paul’s letters were not written for academics.
They were written for churches, leaders, struggling believers—people like us.
And he wanted all of them to know:
- Jesus is the beginning.
- Jesus is the sustainer.
- Jesus is the answer.
- Jesus is the goal.
“For from Him and through Him and to
Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.”
(Romans 11:36)
Let
Jesus Be Your Everything
This final reflection reminded me—
It is not about how much you know.
It is about who you know.
Jesus was everything to Paul.
And I want Him to be everything to me.
So I end this year the way Paul lived his life:
- Rooted in Christ
- Reaching for more of Him
- Ready to reflect Him in word and walk
Because if Jesus is not the center, everything else is
just noise.