The Woman At The Well

The Sin-Eater

Along the banks of the Great Lakes are historical sites attesting to immigrants who settled here. Immigrants brought from their homeland customs, culture, and religious practices.  Scandinavians, Germans, French, English, Czechs believed they were entering their own Promised Land.  Isolated by long cold winters and back breaking labor to grow crops for survival, religious practices from long ago came about as many had no ministers or priests for liturgy.

One custom from Scotland and Wales caught my attention.  It was the sin-eater, one chosen by lots to be set aside to receive the transgressions of the dead.  He was called by bell ringing to come back into the community and led to the dead body where food and drink were laid on the chest of the departed.  The sin-eater was obligated to eat the food and drink thereby ingesting the sins of the person who died.  The burial could go forward and the loved one was able to come before the judge of heaven with an unblemished spirit.   Someone had to be the living sacrifice; it was important work ensuring safety for one to welcome the family of mourners at their appointed time of judgement.  Grief and sorrow could be washed away like a river flowing over rocks in a creek bed.  Joy and hope came forth into the community.

Missionaries arrived explaining Jesus Christ himself could be the only one to wash away the sins of man by his death on the cross.   Only Christ was without sin; only he was the unblemished lamb.  Only Christ could carry man’s transgressions on his merciful shoulders.  Christ was not forced to carry man’s sins as was the sin-eater; he chose to do it.  The burden of sin could be carried by love- the love of Christ for man and through him alone could man be saved.  A relief, a joy, a hope resounded throughout the community as they listened and responded to the word of life and love.

We too need someone from above to watch over us; someone who pours out refreshing water of living life; someone who recognizes our sinfulness, yet  still loves us and will welcome us into eternal life.  That someone is Jesus Christ who raises us up into his arms of forgiving, merciful love so we may enter  ”into the praise of his glory.” (Ep1:14) We too breathe a sigh of relief, joy, and hope as we drink the streams of living water springing from his eternal love.