25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth [I openly and joyfully acknowledge Your great wisdom], that You have hidden these things [these spiritual truths] from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to infants [to new believers, to those seeking God’s will and purpose]. 26 Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. 27 All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Son except the Father; and no one fully knows and accurately understands the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son [deliberately] wills to reveal Him.

Matthew 11:25-27 (AMP)

Sudden prayer

Jesus has sent out His twelve disciples and is in the middle of his teaching. He has just reprimanded the people of some of the surrounding towns who have not repented and accepted Him – even though He preached and did miracles among them. Now He breaks out into a public prayer to the Father. The gospel writers only record a few of Jesus’ public prayers – The Lord’s prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) being the most prominent. His “high priestly prayer” in John 17 is certainly the longest recorded. 

Here is God the Son praying to the Father. He starts with praise. Then He quickly moves into thanksgiving. The ACTS format of prayer is Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. He has nothing to confess so skips to thanksgiving. But He’s also teaching as He prays so He chooses the words accordingly.

The Father’s favored

Jesus gives thanks that the Father has chosen to reveal the truth to those young in the faith, those with a childlike faith (Matthew 18:2-4), who acknowledge their spiritual sickness (Matthew 9:12). These the Father favors. However, those who think they are wise, who don’t see a need for His teaching, the teaching of the Father have no need of the. Doctor He doesn’t try to cater to them. 

Jesus’ authority

Jesus claims that His authority is over all things and, given by the Father. Though He doesn’t elaborate about what “all things” are we can assume it means…all things. But think about it a second. What is there that Jesus does not have authority over? Colossians 1:17-18 tells us, “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together…so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything.” When we get to the end of Matthew 28:18 we’ll hear Jesus repeat this refrain, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.”

Know the Father, Know the Son

Jesus makes a very bold claim here, clearly indicating His identity as the Son of God. He is the way to the Father, the only way (John 14:6). Only the Father knows the Son. It’s not that we cannot know Jesus but, as the AMP version says, “fully knows and accurately understands”. We know Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, Shepherd, friend. We don’t fully know Him. But we can know the Father like that, as Jesus reveals Him. It’s similar language to John 8:19 where Jesus scolds the religious leaders for not knowing God. In John 10:30 He claims He and the Father are one.

RЯeflection

• Does Jesus have authority over our lives? We make an awful lot of decisions (and some awful ones!). Does He really have authority? What is the extent of this authority?
• Do we know the Father? Do we call out to Jesus to reveal the Father to us? Now would be a good time to start.