Exhortation

You are priests, ordained to priesthood by baptism, which united you to Jesus Christ, the High Priest of a priestly community.

When Aaron and his sons were ordained, Moses smeared blood on their right ear lobes, their right thumbs, their right bog toes. Their ears, hands, and feet became holy ears, holy hands, and holy feet. Like the altar, they are consecrated on their four horns. To be a priest is to have a holy body.

Holy things belong to God. God claimed your body as His property when He baptized you. This is why Paul moves from talking about baptism to exhorting us to present our bodies as instruments of righteousness. Your body shares already in Christ’s resurrection when you use it to carry out the priestly service of worshiping God, serving His people, and doing justice.

Like Aaron’s, your ears are consecrated to hear God’s word, your mouth and tongue to proclaim His praise. Your hands are sanctified to be lifted in prayer, to carry burdens for brothers and sisters, to break the yoke of oppression. Your feet are holy so you can walk in step with the Holy Spirit.

You are not your own. You are priests, bought with a price. Therefore, honor God with your body.