Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I extol You, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. (26) Yes, Father, for thus it has been well-pleasing in Your sight.
When the Lord was rebuking those leading cities, He answered and said, “I praise You, Father.” The word “answered” is very meaningful. Whom did the Lord answer? He answered the Father.
While the Lord was rebuking the cities, He fellowshipped with the Father. At that time, answering the Father, He spoke praise to Him. As the Lord was rebuking the cities, a third party was present.
The Lord was the first party, the cities were the second party, and the Father, who was with Him, was the third party. The Father might have said to the Son, “You are rebuking these cities because they have rejected You. Do You feel good about this?” The Lord immediately answered and praised the Father, the Lord of heaven and earth.
Sometimes a third party is present when you are talking to your wife. You are the first party, your wife is the second party, and the Lord is the third party. Perhaps you say to your wife, “Yesterday, you did not treat me very well; your behavior was poor.” As you are saying these words, the third party standing by may ask, “How about it?
Do you like it? Yes, your wife was not so good yesterday.” At such a time could you say, “I praise You, Father”? This is not an easy thing for us to do.
But the Lord Jesus could do it, saying, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth. I recognize Your authority. If this were not of You, none of these cities would reject Me.
Even their rejection is of You. Father, I take sides with You. This situation is quite good.
I tell You that I feel good about it, and I can praise You for it.”