THE INVINCIBLE JESUS

April 5

Bible Reading: John 14:28-31

John 14:30, “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.”

Superman’s exploits are legendary.  He is: “Faster than a speeding bullet. More powerful than a locomotive. Able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.” There is seemingly nothing that Superman can’t do!  But Superman is vulnerable.  Expose him to Kryptonite, and Superman will quickly lose his superpowers.

Sin is man’s kryptonite.  It is the chief tool in the Adversary’s arsenal whereby he works his murderous plots.  Since “all have sinned” all our vulnerable (Romans 3:23).  And since all have sinned, all stand deserving of God’s wrath in judgment (Romans 6:23; Hebrews 9:27).  Though the “ruler of this world” had “no claim on (Jesus)” (John 14:30), he has had a claim on every other human before and since.

Enter Jesus. The Son sent by the Father on His divine rescue plan.  Unlike the rest of us, Jesus had no sin in Him and never sinned (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22)!  Time and time again, the Adversary plotted against Jesus.  Through Pharaoh, he attempted to kill all the male sons of Israel (Exodus 1:16).  He inspired Haman in his failed attempt to eliminate all the Jews (Esther 3:6).  Athaliah, Ahaziah’s mother, attempted to wipe out all the male heirs of the tribe of Judah, the tribe through which the Messiah would come (2 Chronicles 22:10).  Herod sought to murder Jesus by killing all the male children in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16).  Satan tempted Jesus three times at the beginning of His ministry.  Everywhere Jesus went, demons confronted him.  Devil inspired men conspired against Him.  But still He never sinned.  And then, in obedience to the Father, He worked to put sin to death when He died on the cross (1 John 2:2).  Then He rose victorious from the dead (Colossians 2:15). In Jesus, Satan found no vulnerability, no weakness, no place whereby he could gain a foothold.

Jesus’ triumph at the cross is a triumph for every person who trusts in Him.  Romans 8:34-35 puts it this way: “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.” 

Because the Devil had no claim on Jesus, he holds no claim against those who trust in Him and His finished work on the cross.

VICTORY IN JESUS
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood’s atoning,
Then I repented of my sins
And won the victory.

Refrain
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.

I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing pow’r revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,”
And somehow Jesus came and bro’t
To me the victory. [Refrain]

I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there
The song of victory. [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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