7 The Jews insisted, "We have a law, and according to that law he must die, because he claimed to be the Son of God."
Citing Leviticus, the Jews now insist to Pilate they have a slam dunk case against the Lord Jesus and therefore demand His death. They were intently insistent upon turning every stone to destroy Him:
16 anyone who blasphemes the name of the LORD must be put to death. The entire assembly must stone him. Whether an alien or native-born, when he blasphemes the Name, he must be put to death. Lev 24:16 (NIV)
Interestingly, the Word of God - which used properly - should have opened their eyes so that they might clearly see - they wrongly divide here and use for their ruin. They become blinded to the Truth – abusing it rather than using it as their guide to direct both their affections and actions. They perverted the Law making it an instrument of their malice. We cannot pick and choose what we want to believe in God’s Word. It does not give us that option – it is either Truth or it is not.
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
30 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 (NIV)
Beware of building your faith upon one Truth while turning a deaf ear, disregarding or negating others. The shame of God’s disapproval awaits those who do not handle His Word correctly. Remember this was and is what Satan is constantly about – mixing the Truth with a lie - a slippery path leading to ruination. Do not forget Jesus’ temptation by the adversary in the wilderness – Satan used Scripture to tempt our Lord while Jesus combats him with the fullness of the Word causing him to finally flee until an opportune time:
5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 "If you are the Son of God," he said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: "'He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' " Matt 4:5-6 (NIV)
It is true Jesus claimed to be the Son of God – because He is – but they conveniently neglected the miracles He performed to validate His claim.
"The Word of God well understood and religiously obeyed is the shortest route to spiritual perfection. And we must not select a few favorite passages to the exclusion of others.
Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian." A.W. Tozer
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:15 (NIV)
We find in Mathew the Lord Jesus distinctly laying claim to His divinity- the Jews clearly understanding Him to mean He was the Christ, the Son of God:
The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 “Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 65 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy.” Matt 26:63-65 (NIV)
We also discover Jesus pointing the Jews to His miraculous works earlier in John giving proof to His claim:
31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, "I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?" 33 "We are not stoning you for any of these," replied the Jews, "but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God." John 10:31-33 (NIV)
10 Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. John 14:10-11 (NIV)
Lastly, even one of their own ruling council – Nicodemus – was red flagged by the miraculous signs as having been Divine:
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." John 3:1-2 (NIV)