Paul and Jesus

Today, the readings in church clearly showed the difference for me between Paul and Jesus. The first reading was 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 with verse 17, And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. I find this kind of sad, it seems to emphasize a certain part of being faithful but negates everything else with the phrase, your faith is futile. The second reading was Luke 6:17-26, Jesus Heals and Teaches Blessings and Woes. The sermon begins with four beatitudes and four woes. The word “blessed” here refers to being aware in the present of having a place in the movement towards the Realm. To be “blessed” does not mean an absence of struggle. Indeed, as 6:22-23 indicates, to be in the community moving towards the realm can invite hatred, exclusion, being reviled, and being defamed as others reject the Realm and its witnesses. I find the authentic Jesus here who is much closer to Buddhist teaching by acknowledging suffering and struggle. Jesus is not just a prop to get saved as described by Paul. Instead he is a teacher and healer.

- - - 

Let us be clear from the outset. The messages of Jesus and Paul were fundamentally different. Reconciliation of their messages cannot be done by harmonization. Jesus preached the kingdom of heaven. Paul did not. Paul preached justification by faith alone. Jesus did not. doctrine.org Jesus vs. Paul 

Found this with a quick search. It doesn't seem very good but most of the others I saw were very defensive and wouldn't admit there were differences. Here is a scholarly view:

Frontline: From Jesus to Christ

Paul's Mission and Letters

Carrying the 'good news' of Jesus Christ to non-Jews, Paul's letters to his fledgling congregations reveal their internal tension and conflict.