JULY 2

The Heart of the Problem

Bible Reading: Matthew 15:1-20

Above the sink was a sign with illustrations and instructions on how to wash your hands. There were 12 steps! I’m not sure I did all twelve, but it’s a good idea to wash your hands—before you eat, after you visit the restroom, before and after a visit to the hospital, etc. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day practiced handwashing too. It was one of their most important religious practices. They did it in a certain manner. They would wash one hand with the other fist, then raise the hand so that the water might run off just at the wrists. An exact amount of water was specified. They would do so before eating, and even between courses. They washed their hands when coming home from the market and on many other occasions. Very particular rules were also established regarding the washing of dishes and other eating utensils. But their observance of these rules was not primarily about cleanliness. As with other traditions, it was all about establishing self-righteousness through their religious rule-keeping. 

The disciples failed to observe the practice (Matthew 15:2). The Pharisees asked “Why?” Likewise, a Pharisee was astonished by Jesus’ failure to wash his hands before eating (Luke 11:37-38). Both occasions gave opportunity for Jesus to communicate an important truth: the heart of man is the heart of the problem (Matthew 15:18-20). 

The heart of man is sinful by nature, and religious practice has absolutely no power to change that. There is a scene in Shakespeare’s Macbeth which illustrates the problem. Lady Macbeth encouraged Lord Macbeth to slay the king. But when he returned, his hand was covered with blood. So, she said to him, “Go, wash thy hand, a little clean water will clear us of this deed.” So, he went, but then looked at his hand and declared, “Will all great Neptune’s Ocean wash this blood clean from my hand? No, rather this my hand will rather the multitudinous seas incarnadine, making the green one red.” 

Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?” The heart of man is the heart of the problem. The Great Physician alone is qualified to make a proper diagnosis (Jeremiah 17:10). The Spirit of God convicts of sin and reveals to man the gravity of the problem (John 16:8-9). Religious rule keeping, self-improvement efforts, or behavior modification only deal with the symptoms of the condition. A total heart transformation is what’s necessary. 

At the moment of saving faith, a person is cleansed from sin and forever changed. “But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of God’ (1 Corinthians 6:11). Having been identified with Christ—in His death, burial, and resurrection—the believer in Christ is unalterably changed (Romans 6:1-7). He is a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), empowered “to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). 

The transforming work of the Spirit of God is an inside-out process. By His power, He works to transform us into the very image of Christ (Romans 8:29). His desire is that we be Christlike in every way—heart, head, hands. He patiently reveals our sins so they might be put off (Hebrews 4:12; Romans 8:13). His indwelling presence is revealed by those wonderful Christlike virtues: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Religious rule-keeping is no substitute for the inside-out transformation Christ alone can do (Colossians 2:20-23). It’s a good idea to wash our hands—for many reasons—but Jesus alone can cleanse us within! 

“Religious rule-keeping is no substitute for the saving and transforming work of the Lord Jesus!”

Jerry Conklin

JESUS PAID IT ALL

I hear the Savior say,
“Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray,
Find in Me thine all in all.”

Refrain:
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy pow’r and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone. [Refrain]

For nothing good have I
Where-by Thy grace to claim;
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s Lamb. [Refrain]

And when, before the throne,
I stand in Him complete,
“Jesus died my soul to save,”
My lips shall still repeat. [Refrain]

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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