John 5:30-37a

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me.

John 5:30-37a

If I came to you and told you something ridiculous, would you believe me?  Would you believe me if I told you that I went hang gliding off a skyscraper while I was lit on fire and I landed on a bouncy castle?  Maybe you would and maybe you wouldn't, but it does sound a bit far-fetched.  However, would you believe me if I also showed you a video of what I did and brought along a friend who saw it and testified to what I said?  Jesus has made a claim that sounds ridiculous to his hearers and perhaps it's understandable that they don't believe him.  However, Jesus provides his hearers with three testimonies.  These are three ways that prove that Jesus is who he said he is.

Testimony 1: John the Baptist
v32-35

John the Baptist is one who testifies.  He has clearly pointed to Jesus and supports what he says.  Just look back a few chapters and you'll see (ex: chapter 3 or even chapter 1).  He was apparently well received by the people enough that they would trust him (v35).

One may object to this testimony of John with regards to it's origin.  If Jesus makes claims with regards to God, how can his testimony come from a mere man?  Jesus also makes it clear that Jesus' testimony isn't from man.  First of all, John the Baptist's testimony comes from God.  He himself describes his instruction back in chapter 1: "he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.’"  Secondly, Jesus' has a greater testimony.  Jesus certainly mentions John the Baptist and does not deny the importance of John the Baptist.  Jesus even goes so far as to describe John the Baptist as the greatest of anyone born of a woman: " Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist".  John the Baptist is important, but as far as testimonies go, John the Baptist's testimony is the least.

Testimony 2: Works
v36

More important than John's testimony is the testimony of works.  What Jesus is doing is on display for all to see.  These very things testify to his claims.  You can know and trust in what Jesus says because his works back up his words.

It is important to note that these works are described as given by the Father.  The Father has given the Son works to accomplish and Jesus is carrying them out.  And so, by carrying them out, they prove that the Father has sent him.

This makes me think of an occupation or talent.  If someone claimed to be a carpenter, then they could show you their skills to prove it.  Or perhaps one may prove that he or she is a magician by showing you some magic tricks.  It makes sense that a magician would be able to perform tricks or that a carpenter could do carpentry.  Similarly, the Son of God could prove it by miraculous works that could only be from God.

I am reminded of the story where Jesus heals the paralytic.  The paralytic is lowered through the ceiling to get him to Jesus and everyone is watching to see what Jesus does.  Though everyone may expect Jesus to heal the paralytic, Jesus says "Son, your sins are forgiven."  At this many questioned this statement, wondering "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"  However, what Jesus does next is what reminds me of this story:

And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic— “I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 2:8-12

In Mark 2, Jesus proved that he had authority to forgive sins by healing the paralytic.  Similarly, In John 5, Jesus proved that he was sent by the Father by healing the invalid.

Testimony 3: The Father / The Scriptures
v37

The third and last testimony is that of the Father himself.  The Father has already testified about Jesus.  This can be found in the Scriptures, which are the very words of God.  I don't know if you've ever heard this before, but the bible is about Jesus.  It points to him and his great work upon the cross.  You may not have heard from John the Baptist and you may not have seen the works that Jesus performed, but the Scriptures are available to be read to see what God has spoken about his Son.

Sometimes I hear people wishing that God would speak directly to them.  Perhaps some are wishing for some direction in their life and some are wishing for God to prove his own existence.  The thing is that God has already spoken and his words can be found in the scriptures.  It's all right there, just go and read it for yourself.

Conclusion

Though it's not a comprehensive list, Jesus lays out a few very good references that back up his claims.  His claims are certainly hard to believe; however, it becomes more believable as the testimonies stack up.  If you don't accept his claims, I wonder what is holding you back and recommend looking into it further.  If you do believe, I encourage you to still look into these testimonies.  I find that the more and more I see Jesus for who he is, the more and more I get excited and want to praise him.  I am reminded of the following passage, which is a short section from the beginning of this book:

The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

John 1:9-13

John 5:19-29

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.  For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.  For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.  For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,  that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him.  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.  For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.  And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.  Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice  and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

John 5:19-29

Jesus has just made the controvertial statement that God is his father.  This stunned the Jews because it made Jesus equal with God.  Now, Jesus goes on to explain the relationship between the Father and the Son.

Same in their Doing

One thing we gather from what Jesus says here is that the Son and the Father are aligned in what they do.  The Son does what he sees the Father doing.  Well, are there things that the Father does that the Son does not do?  Well, Jesus simply states that "whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise".  Well, are there things that the Son does not see the Father doing?  If that's the case, are there then things that the Son cannot do that the Father does since the Son didn't see it?  Well, the Father "shows him all that he himself is doing".

There are two examples given with regards to this connection in what they do.  The first example is the giving of life.  The Father raises the dead and gives them life.  If the Son does what he sees the Father doing, it is only natural that Jesus does this as well.  The Father has the ability to raise the dead and give them life and so the Son has this ability as well.  The second example is judgment.  The Father "has given all judgment to the Son".  The Father has the ability to judge and has given that to the Son.

By now you can tell that this connection between the Father and the Son does not make the Son a literal copycat.  It's not like God commands something and Jesus does the exact same thing as well.  Instead, this is describing that the Son and the Father have the same capability.  The Father can give life and can judge.  Similarly, the Son can give life and can judge.  It is in this way that we can see how Jesus was making himself equal with God by calling him his own Father.

Same in their Honour

What is the purpose of all of this?  Why is the Son given all judgment?  We read the reason in verse 23, "that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father".  Perhaps it could've been done such that the Son did not have these abilities.  However, then honour would not be for the Son in the same way as for the Father.

This connection of honour is so important that Jesus goes on to say something else about it: "Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him".  Not only are they to be the same in honour, but they are the same in dishonour.  I guess it would make sense, but this statement simply makes it clear.  To not honour the Son is the same as not honouring the Father.  Therefore, if you want to honour the Father, you'd need to honour the Son.

Aside - Irony

If you step back and think about this for a second, it's actually quite ironic.  The Jews are judging Jesus for breaking the sabbath and calling God his own Father.  As a result, they are seeking to kill him.  In response, Jesus explains to them that he can give life to whom he will and has been given all judgment.  Though the Jews seek to take life and enact judgement, Jesus is actually the one who has the ability to give life and the authority to enact judgment.

The Resurrection of the Dead

This is all leading up to something big, which Jesus hints at it in verse 20: "And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel".  Jesus explains what this is in verse 25: "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live".  This is Jesus giving life to whom he will as was mentioned earlier; however, it's much more than just life and judgment.  Jesus even says "Do not marvel at this".  What we are to marvel at is the resurrection of the dead.

Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
John 5:28-29

This is who the Son is, what he is capable of doing, and why he is deserving of honour.