Our pastor recently taught from the story where Jesus is invited to dinner by a prominent Pharisee. As all the guests are arranged around the table, a woman enters the area, kneels at the feet of Jesus, wets his feet with her tears, wipe his feet with her hair, then massages them with expensive oil.
The story often focuses on the woman. Let’s take a broader look at the scene.
The story does not take place in someone’s home. This is a desert climate. These dinners at this level of society were set up in a courtyard facing the street. The scene was arranged with care such that everyone in the village would walk past to gawk. The importance of the dinner guests reflected on the importance of the host.
Jesus was displayed as a sign of the importance of the Pharisee. We know who was designated as the most important person in the story by how Jesus was treated.
The Pharisee was upset that his carefully staged dinner party was upstaged. He complained about the woman’s actions. Jesus, remarking on the expected hospitality of the culture, reprimanded him by noting that the host neither washed his feet nor anointed him with oil.
The Pharisee staged an event designed to draw attention to himself. Instead, the woman drew attention to Jesus.
I wonder how often we stage scenes designed to draw attention to ourselves? It could be the temper tantrum of a two-year-old (or an adult acting out like one). It could be interrupting a conversation with a cutting remark.
Better are those who listen and connect with others.
Faith Venture 
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