If Jesus is going to continue to make these lofty claims (such as John 10:30-I and the Father are one), how would God validate these claims, not only to those personally witnessing his ministry, but also to those who would read the accounts throughout the church age?
First of all, His supernatural works of power provide abundant verification. And these works or signs are not just gracious acts of benevolence, but they secure definitive proof of Jesus’ claims. Thus, when they are rejected, there is greater accountability, as Jesus teaches in Matt. 11.
Furthermore, it is evident that Christ was always carrying out the purposes of God, notwithstanding the schemes of man. No matter what his enemies devised or what level of unbelief Christ encountered, it always seemed to fit right into the sovereign plan of God. Nevertheless, it is very apparent from early on in all the gospels that these validations are seldom met with repentance and faith. It’s true that despite how God verified his claims, Jesus’ teachings and works were met with increasing hostility and massive unbelief. While that did not cause our Lord to waver one bit, it can be unsettling for us when our ministry efforts are met with similar responses. We can be tempted to think that the verification of Christ in Scripture is lacking in some way or that somehow mankind’s unbelief is hindering God’s purposes.
It’s at this point we need the exhortation from Heb. 12:1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.