We are Christ’s body. He is the head of the body, the church. Our union is a spiritual reality. Our connection is also a corporate responsibility.
[S]peaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15–16, ESV)
He is the head of the body, “the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent” (Colossians 1:18). The head is on top and the head brings us closer together.
We have communion with Him by the Spirit, and we have communion in the ordinance of the Lord’s Supper. As we commune with the head we do it as parts of the body, but also as the whole body. We’re reminded of our connections; look across the room. See the ones you’re working for.
For the first time in years we’re all together under the same roof on one level at the same time. One blessing of this room is that it’s less of a lecture hall, limited to seeing the back-of-many-heads portrait layout, and more landscape with cross views.
It’s not perfect, neither are we, or our communion. But it’s good, and our head gives us truth and love, and by His grace He will continue to build the body.