“Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”

   - Matthew 5.19

Living his name, living his soul, from the crowds he prepared under the holy Law.

   - Dallán Forgaill, Amra Choluimb Chille, Irish, 6th century

Columba (Choluimb Chille or Colum Cille) was renowned for many things, both in his day and after. Not the least of these was his mastery of divine law and his ability to exemplify and teach it so that others willingly took up the Law of God as their path in life. Even after his death, Colum lived on in the “crowds he prepared” for Kingdom living.

Greatness in the Kingdom of God is measured by just such things. Colum left as a legacy scores of men grounded in Scripture, trained in the application of the Law, zealous for the Gospel, skilled in preaching, and bold to take the Good News to the ends of the earth.

In Colum there was no separation of grace and Law, Gospel and the pursuit of righteousness, intense study and fervent mission. He was the whole package. He was truly great in the Kingdom of Christ during his day.

What about us? Is being great in the Kingdom even something we think about or hope to attain? We are distracted and busy in so many things that we hardly have time to think about how Kingdom greatness might be achieved. Certainly, if Jesus is to be believed, greatness in the Kingdom will not be ours apart from reading, study, and meditation in the Law of God, then living and teaching it to others.

God has called us into His Kingdom and glory through faith in Jesus Christ (1 Thess. 2.12).Everyone wants to have some distinction by which to be identified and remembered (Think: what will you want your obituary to say?). Given the opportunity to pursue greatness in the Kingdom of God, why would we settle for anything less?

Others, like Colum, have attained it; there’s no reason why we should not strive for this as well. Will you seek to be great in the Kingdom of God today?

Psalm 40.9, 10 (Dix: “For the Beauty of the Earth”)
Lord, Your truth will I proclaim to Your people gathered ‘round,
Nor will I my lips restrain – let Your precious ways resound!
Of Your saving grace and Word I would speak, most loving Lord.

Lord Jesus, help me to seek Your Kingdom, help me go forth today, like a victorious horse crossing a level plain, like a chariot, carrying You to the world. Adapted from Oengus mac Oengobann, Féilire Oengusso