The Lord’S Longing To Be Released Through Death
THE LORD'S LONGING
TO BE RELEASED THROUGH DEATH
TO PRODUCE THE KINGDOM
In Luke 12:1-48 the Man-Savior warned His disciples of the hypocrisy of religion (vv. 1-12), covetousness (vv. 13-34), and concerning watch fulness and faithfulness (vv. 35-48). Then in 12:49-53 He expressed the longing to be released through His death. Here we see that the Lord aspired to be fully released from the bondage of His flesh. This short portion of the Word is very deep, and we need adequate spiritual experience in order to understand it.
When I was in Shanghai more than fifty years ago, I read a book by brother T. Austin-Sparks entitled The Release of the Lord. That book made reference to 12:49 and 50. The writer pointed out that the Lord in His incarnation was bound and concealed in His flesh. He was God, and He had the divine life as His essence, strength, and power. Nevertheless, He was concealed in