Exactly which one is 'the other'?

She fell at his feet and washed his feet with her tears and dried them with  her hair.

Pretty strange scene isn't it?  This woman, who apparently had a reputation locally, makes a scene at this private dinner where Jesus is a guest.  It would have made just about anyone uncomfortable; her actions were so outside the normal, acceptable manners of good company.

But of course she wasn't remotely concerned about the etiquette of the moment.  She was clearly overwhelmed by Jesus' presence and abased herself to show her devotion.  No one seems to argue with whether this woman was known in the village, although, at the same time, there are no details and we shouldn't go making stuff up.  But she does appear in public with her hair down and uncovered and frankly that just wasn't done.  It was intended as a sign.  She was 'that kind of woman.'

The host of the dinner party is really put out.  Perhaps it is the very intimacy of this weeping woman with flowing hair making a big deal out of the simple task of washing the feet of a guest.  This kind of intimacy in a public place makes most folks uncomfortable.  Perhaps the host was put out because she was stealing the show; it was to be his show of wealth and position.  Folks were supposed to be talking about him, not her.

So he says to himself (Jesus apparently is able to 'hear' his inner thoughts)  "If he was a prophet he would know what kind of woman this is."  But Jesus does know what kind of woman this is: a woman who is overcome and Jesus says it is because she has been forgiven much.  Forgiveness of this magnitude brought out this over-the-top response of love.

So, wealthy and important dinner host neglects and disrespects Jesus.  Jesus calls him on it and the lesson might be 'don't get too full of yourself'.

Weeping woman makes a big scene in the middle of a dinner party.  Jesus affirms her actions and announces forgiveness for her. Apparently, forgiveness is the kind of experience that engenders devotion - of the outrageous and public type.

The only question at the end is Who is 'the other'?  The dinner host who wants to stand above Jesus?  Or, the woman who is groveling at his feet?  The host who thinks he has little that needs forgiveness? Or, the woman who knows she has been forgiven much?

When it comes to Jesus, none of us are insiders.  We are all beggars seeking the grace that he offers, and I would fervently pray, overwhelmed at the sheer joy of receiving it.