Paul: The Prisoner of Jesus Christ

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Paul: The Prisoner of Jesus Christ

Paul says, "I am the prisoner of Jesus Christ." (Eph 3:1). What does it mean? Who is a prisoner? Who is a captive? Someone who is termed to be guilty is made to be a prisoner. Does Paul quote himself to be a prisoner of Jesus Christ because he understood that he was the reason for Jesus's brutal death or murder? Maybe he came to the realization that Jesus had died for his sins, but I perceive and I want us to see it in a more clear and deeper divine light of and by the Spirit of revelation. For me, it shows intimacy, dependency, and the complete Lordship of Jesus in Paul's life.

Though Paul was in Roman chains, he says that he was in the chains of Jesus! Paul says he is a prisoner of Jesus- a prisoner of Jesus's love. Oh this deep level of intimacy and oneness with the Lord. Only the Holy Spirit can take us there and He is the only one who took Paul, the apostle into that state of blessedness and gave him grace to write with these lines.

Just think about how you want to be with your lover, all alone. That's what Paul meant I believe, when he said I am the prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is someone who is blinded and captivated by Jesus, the brightness of God's glory, the express image of the invisible God and Father whom he met at the road of Damascus(Heb 1:3 & Acts 9:3-7). And guess what, this prisoner doesn't want to go free ever again, so in some verses, Paul mentions himself as the bondservant of Jesus Christ(Rom 1:1).

In Israel's customs, every servant or slave had to be released on the 7th year(Exo 21:2) but bondservants are those who willingly choose to stay with their masters even after the completion of their tenure, such servants had to be ear pierced by their masters and they would be servants for life to their master(Deu 15:17). So, now we get an idea of what Paul, the Hebrew of Hebrews meant when he said I am a bondservant of Christ.

He was under the custody of Jesus and he also mentions himself as the slave of righteousness(Rom 6:18). It is as if he needs to do what he is doing, if he doesn't preach, who else; for a dispensation, a dimension has been realized and given to him by the personal revelation and encounter with the Lord Jesus Christ, starting from the road to Damascus to the stay at the wilderness of Arabia(Gal 1:12,15-18). For necessity has been laid upon this prisoner of the Lord. For cursed he shall be if he preaches not the gospel. Oh, the prisoner of the Lord.(Ref. 1 co 9:16,17)

Oh the prisoner of the Lord. The prisoner in the prison of His Love, His burdens, and His tears. Jesus cried, "I thirst", only a prisoner, who is locked away with Him and with His eyes can hear and do what the master commands(John 19:28). Many centuries back, King David also said "I thirst", and there were three of his mighty man who went into the enemy camp, risking their own lives, brought the water from the enemies well for their earthly master, their earthly king(Ref. 2 Sa 23:15-17). Will you and I, also do the same thing as these mighty men? Will you become the prisoner of this blessed Lord?