Two views of why Jesus addresses God as Father, Lord of heaven and earth
:
The beginning of Jesus’ psalm-like reaction prepares us for what follows in Matthew 11:27, which reveals the unity of the Father and the Son. While in the old covenant Israel did address God as Father, the direct form
Father
is striking in comparison to such expressions asmy Father
orour Father
found in Old Testament texts. What is new here is not the name Father, but its use in this intimate way by his Son. Jesus’ words sound like the prayer-song of a child to his Father, whom he also callsLord of heaven and earth,
implying that Jesus’ mission is for the whole world. What occurs in the towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida is not just local news; it fits in the framework of God’s sovereign rule over the cosmos.In calling the Father Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus stresses God’s rule over all creatures according to his good pleasure (Acts 17:24), revealing himself to some and not to others, letting one hear the gospel and withholding it from another. He alone determines how the kingdom of heaven will spread.
Interpretation 1:
Jesus’ reaction is reminiscent of a psalm. This much is evident already in the descriptive address: Father, Lord of heaven and earth
(Matthew 11:26). Such language prepares us for what follows in Matthew 11:27, where the unity of the Father and Jesus, the Son, is revealed. While in the old covenant Israel could—and did—address God as Father, the direct form Father
is still quite striking when compared with expressions such as my Father
or our Father
found in some Old Testament texts. What is new here is not only the name Father as such, but especially its use in this intimate way by his own Son. Jesus’ words not only sound like a psalm, but like the prayer-song of a child directed to his Father, whom he also addresses as Lord of heaven and earth.
This implies that Jesus’ mission carries implications for the entire world. What takes place in seemingly insignificant towns such as Chorazin and Bethsaida is not merely local news; it belongs within the framework of God’s sovereign rule over the entire cosmos.1
Interpretation 2:
Here, in calling the Father Lord of heaven and earth, Jesus emphasizes that he reigns over all creatures and governs all that exists according to his good pleasure (Acts 17:24). In his freedom and justice, he chooses to reveal himself to some and not to others, to let one hear the gospel while withholding it from another. He alone determines how the kingdom of heaven will spread.2
25 En ce temps-là, Jésus prit la parole, et dit: Je te loue, Père, Seigneur du ciel et de la terre, de ce que tu as caché ces choses aux sages et aux intelligents, et de ce que tu les as révélées aux enfants.