Final answer:
Jesus was asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath due to the strict adherence to Sabbath laws during his time, where healing could be seen as work and therefore prohibited. This action was perceived as challenging existing religious interpretations and the Pharisees' authority, highlighting Jesus's role as a spiritual messiah emphasizing mercy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The query regarding why Jesus was asked if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath pertains to the Sabbath observance in Jewish law and the various interpretations of its rules during the time of Jesus. In the first century CE, Jewish society observed the Sabbath strictly, with heavy restrictions on what could be done on this holy day. The Pharisees, a prominent jewish sect, insisted that all Jews should adhere to the laws of Moses, which included strict Sabbath observance.
NU 15:32-36 depicts a story from the Hebrew Bible where a man is stoned for breaking the Sabbath by gathering sticks. Moreover, the Pharisees were often in disagreement with Jesus, whom they saw violating or challenging their interpretations of the law. Healing on the Sabbath, an act that could be considered work, was a controversial topic because it dealt directly with these legal and religious interpretations. When Jesus performed such healings, it was seen as a challenge to the established interpretations of what was permissible on the Sabbath, thereby prompting the question of lawfulness.
Early Christians believed that Jesus's actions, including healing on the Sabbath, demonstrated his role as the messiah, a spiritual savior rather than a political liberator, further complicating Jewish expectations of the messiah. Some interpret Jesus's willingness to heal on the Sabbath as emphasizing the spirit of the law over the letter, prioritizing compassion and immediate aid to those in need over strict adherence to Sabbath rules.