The Gruesome Farm Task That Changed How I See Sin

Why Docking a Lamb’s Tail Reveals a Hidden Secret to Spiritual Freedom

A few of years ago we were fortunate enough to stay at a sheep and beef station in the stunning Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand’s North Island. We stayed during docking season and were invited to go and watch the process.

Docking is the shortening of a lamb’s tail. There are a variety of ways a farmer might do this. Suffice to say it seemed rather intrusive and unpleasant for the lamb. One method places a tight ring around the tail which cuts off circulation. This then makes the end of the tail die; the dead part falls off and the lamb is left with a shorter tail.

The thing is, if you don’t dock a lamb’s tail, the lamb is unable to clean itself as unpleasant things (I’m sure you can imagine) get stuck in its tail which leads to a wide variety of diseases and other complications.

What seems painful in the moment is necessary for a healthy and fruitful life.

Jesus told us to do something similar, “If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away… if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut if off and throw it away.” (Matthew 5:29-30).

Seems like a pretty intense and harsh directive!

But Jesus wants us to understand the severity of what will happen if we insist on carrying temptation and sin around with us. If we don’t make a decisive effort to remove the ‘long tails’, it’ll lead to filth and disease in our lives. Paul exhorts the Colossians in a similar manner, “Put to death… rid yourselves…” (Colossians 3:5-10) stick a tight ring on it, let it die and fall away from you! What might seem drastic in the short term ultimately leads to saving yourself from getting caught up in all sorts of mess and nastiness.

However, don’t despair. Just as a lamb isn’t expected to dock its tail alone, neither does God expect us to deal with our temptation and sin independently. He promises “a way out” so we can endure temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and is always “faithful and just” when we confess before Him. Not only will He forgive our sins, but He’ll purify us too (1 John 1:9).

No messy tail for you, phew!

Em