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Ruins of an ancient fort lie on top of a hill behind our church building. The fort belonged to King Brude (or Bridei) of the Picts in the sixth century AD, the first of several kings by the same name before the country became known as Scotland. The location affords marvelous views overlooking the Beauly Firth and hills to the north, west, and south of Inverness.
The pioneer missionary Columba visited King Brude at his fort. The exact location is uncertain, since Brude likely had other forts close by. According to his biographer Adomnán, when Columba was near, pagan priests sought to deter him from Christian worship. Unfazed, he continued to praise God and sang Psalm 45. On another occasion, after the king refused him entry, he made a sign of the cross, knocked, and put his hand on the door. The bolted doors unlocked and flung wide open without any further effort on the missionary’s part. The startled king quickly made amends and respectfully met with him. Brude may not have converted to Christianity, but the open doors symbolize both the liberty that Columba’s evangelical mission gained and its success as many came to Christian faith in the region.
Today, the inner perimeter of the ramparts is clearly marked by a footpath. Excavations have uncovered sections of the fort’s walls, but the only visible stones on the ground are embedded in the path. To the eye, the site brings to mind Jesus’ saying when His disciples marveled at the temple building, “There will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down” (Matt. 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6). Later in the same chapters, Jesus spoke by comparison of the permanence of God’s Word: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matt. 24:35; Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33). The lasting way to meet with God was not to be through the temple but through His Son, Jesus Christ.
A sign describes Columba’s visit at the entrance of the woodland walk to the fort. It includes an illustration of a monk and the caption: “A monk’s most prized possession was his bible, which he kept in a special decorated satchel.” The fort is a ruin and buried underground, while the Word that Columba sang and most likely kept in a satchel is perfectly intact, just as Jesus said. Furthermore, the “word of the cross” is no less today “the power of God” (1 Cor. 1:18), because Christ’s priesthood is permanent and He has power to forgive sins.
Columba’s story is an inspiration for Christian mission. He demonstrated a deep conviction that the things of this world are temporary while God is eternal. His Word will outlast the strongholds of the world. Whatever imposing obstacles are faced in Christian missionary endeavor and for however long it may be the case, God’s Word will be shown in the end to prevail.