We’ve entered the Sundays of Easter, and we always begin our journey with the resurrection of Jesus and the response of those he meets. Especially the response of Thomas who often gets the negative moniker of “Doubting.” Now if we’re honest and look at the whole story, Thomas wasn’t the only one with a few lingering doubts. Let’s include the 11, the two along the road to Emmaus and many unnamed others.

We learn in a very real way, recognizing Jesus isn’t quite as easy as we believe. Maybe it’s a variety or reasons why we just don’t see him. Too busy, too distracted, too focused on ourselves, too ambivalent and the list goes on and on. As we travel the Sundays of Easter, we come to realize that he has a few specific wishes. His wish for us is to welcome all into his gospel of grace, acceptance and peace. To share his identity in sacrifice, giving your all for those in your life. And to dispel our fear of death with the reality of his resurrection, the promise of a kingdom to come. As I consider all this, maybe what Jesus is really wishing is to see himself in me. Seeing him in you in your service, actions, beliefs and how you treat others.

A story comes to mind.

There’s a charming story that Thomas Wheeler, CEO of the Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Co., tells on himself: He and his wife were driving along an interstate highway when he noticed that their car was low on gas. Wheeler got off the highway at the next exit and soon found a rundown gas station with just one gas pump. He asked the lone attendant to fill the tank and check the oil; then went for a little walk around the station to stretch his legs.

As he was returning to the car, he noticed that the attendant and his wife were engaged in an animated conversation. The conversation stopped as he paid the attendant. But as he was getting back into the car, he saw the attendant wave and heard him say, “It was great talking to you.”

As they drove out of the station, Wheeler asked his wife if she knew the man. She readily admitted she did. They had gone to high school together and had dated steadily for about a year.

“Boy, were you lucky that I came along,” bragged Wheeler.

“If you had married him, you’d be the wife of a gas station attendant instead of the wife of a chief executive officer.”

“My dear,” replied his wife, “if I had married him, he’d be the chief executive officer and you’d be the gas station attendant.”

Welcome to the season of Easter. A time we live in the moments and mission of Jesus. A time of year we see new life springing up all around us. And a time to consider the importance of seeing Jesus in yourself. Seeing and sharing Jesus with those in your life who need a little good news. When you really consider all the facts, is there anything more important?

May the Lord of all Resurrection richly bless you and yours richly with new life.

Bob Stone is pastor of Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Pocatello.