We are told to tarry for one another. This is why we take and eat together, and why we take and drink together. The point of this is not communion in lockstep, but rather communion in likemindedness. We are told in various places of Scripture that likemindedness is one of our great duties – we are not told to maintain diversity of opinion, but rather to strive for the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Of course, this means we must have a willingness to be corrected, and not just show a willingness to correct others.
An important part of this humility is taught in how we take and eat, and not just in the fact that we do. We have encouraged you to look around, to discern the Lord’s body in your brothers and sisters. But do not just note that they are your brothers and sisters, but also you are their brother or sister, and you are all here together.
When we sing a psalm, we are saying the same thing. When we say amen, we are vowing the same thing. When we eat together, when we drink together, this unified motion is a glorious display of likemindedness. We tarry for one another, and when we all have bread, we eat together. When we all have the cup we drink together.
These motions – holding, lifting, chewing, swallowing, are all a declaration of the glorious gospel. The Lord Jesus Christ is king of all nations, and this is something we want to declare all together. And so we tarry, waiting to manifest it together.