By Jack Ward

Some years ago, a college student came by his pastor’s office to discuss theological issues.

Eventually, the conversation came around to the subject of the resurrection. After all, if you take Christianity seriously, it will ultimately always lead you to the resurrection. “What do you think of the resurrection?” he asked. The pastor replied, “I believe that it happened in reality and not just in the minds of men.”

“What is your evidence?” He asked, like a professor prodding a student.

The pastor presented as Exhibit A: the disciples. Twelve men are not going to give up their lives to simply perpetuate that which they know to be a hoax.

“I don’t know,” the young man mumbled. “I just don’t know.” There was his problem. He was seeking knowledge, not faith.

You do not say, “Resurrected Christ, appear to me, and I will believe.” It is just the opposite. The resurrected Christ appeared only to those who did believe. Jesus did not reveal himself to the Caiaphas, Pilates and Herods of the world, but only to those who believed, who had faith.

Knowledge about God is good, but you will never experience Him with knowledge. You can only experience God by faith.

Let me illustrate that point by using fishing as an example. Let’s say knowledge is knowing about fishing, and faith is putting a line in the water.