Jesus claimed the name of God. The Jews understood that. I understand that. I guess you don't. You keep finding ways around the clear meaning of Scripture. That is between you and God, I guess.
Jesus said clearly that if one does not believe He is WHO HE SAID HE WAS, that person would die in their sins. He took the name of God, the I AM of the burning bush. He claimed to be the First and the Last in Revelation and in Isaiah we find the following:
This is what the Lord says -- Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
apart from me there is no God.
If Jesus is the Redeemer, He is also God.
If He is neither, how could belief in Him ever save you?