Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety occurs when someone is afraid of being separated from a particular person.  It is quite common when young children can’t cope with moms who have to go to work or when a child starts to go to school. When they learn they're not being abandoned and that they'll see their moms later in the day, their anxiety usually subsides.

     

As the Easter Season comes to an end, Jesus and His disciples have to deal with their own kind of ‘separation anxiety’ as Jesus prepares for His Ascension.

    

Consider these verses in John’s Gospel. Jesus says: “My children, I will be with you only a little while longer.” (John 13:33)  And He follows that by saying: “I will ask the Father and he will give you another Advocate to be with you always.” (John 14:16)  And then He says: “I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

The Disciples don’t know what to make of all this…until Jesus ascends…and shortly thereafter the Holy Spirit comes to them on Pentecost. Then they knew that Jesus had not abandoned them…He was still with them, but in a whole new way!  

How has your relationship with Jesus changed since you were a child?