“The Third Man” is a 1949 film noir directed by renowned British movie director Carol Reed. In the movie, the Third Man is a cryptic figure supposedly hiding in the shattered ruins of post-World War II Vienna. But is he? Holly Martins, portrayed by Joseph Cotten, is an American author of Western novels. He arrives in Allied-occupied Vienna seeking his childhood friend, Harry Lime, who has offered him a job.

   Sadly, though, Martins is told that Lime was hit and killed by a car as he crossed a rainy back street. Martins believes this, only to discover that his friend’s death is shrouded in mystery concerning the accident and the rumors of another figure creeping in the dark. However, when Martins finally identifies the mysterious Third Man, he discovers it’s Lime himself, who is very much alive.

   Martins soon uncovers Lime’s deceptive nature. He realizes Lime has taken a nosedive into a lifestyle of morally degrading behavior. He’s nothing more than a shallow, selfish man, whose beguiling charms, good looks, and personality conceal his shady, illegal business practices, which  involve stealing penicillin from military hospitals, diluting it, and then selling it on the black market. Even though this makes him very rich, it killed countless innocent people.    

   In the Book of Daniel, Chapter  3, we are introduced to another mysterious man, this time found not on a Viennese back street but in a fiery furnace in ancient Babylon. King Nebuchadnezzar II, declaring himself a god, ordered everyone under his rule to bow and worship his golden statue. Anyone failing to do so would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Three young, devout Israelites, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who had been taken captive to Babylon after the fall of their country, refused to bow before the king’s golden image. They had all faith that Father God would deliver them from the king’s furnace. But even if He didn’t do so, they still refused to bow and worship another god.

   They were then bound and thrown into the furnace. When the king looked in, he was shocked to see them walking unbound and not even singed. Nebuchadnezzar cried out that the trio was not alone. A Fourth Man walked with them. That man was “like the Son of God,” the King exclaimed. Biblical scholars have long viewed this Fourth Man as the pre-incarnate Christ, who Himself stepped into the fire with His faithful followers.

   The contrast between the Third Man and the Fourth Man is striking. The Third Man is mysterious, hiding in the dark while selfishly enriching himself. Like an evil chameleon, he changes his appearance when needed and continues killing people through subterfuge. The Fourth Man is mysterious, too, not because he’s hiding, but because His love and mercy are selfless. He enters the flames and loosens the ropes binding the young men, preserving them in the very place meant to destroy them. One mysterious man turns out to be the source of danger and death. The other mysterious man, though, brings deliverance.  

     The world often lures us toward its Third Man, who is clever and attractive. He preaches that compromise is noble and spiritual faithfulness is stupid. Both of which, like the penicillin of his lies, lead to death. But the Fourth Man—Jesus—reminds Believers that we are not called to bow to the golden statues of iniquity, popularity, fear, or convenience. We are called to stand, even when standing can lead to a furnace filled not with fire, but ridicule and hate. The good news is this. The Fourth Man meets us in the fire and reminds us that our faithfulness is never solitary nor forgotten.  

    So choose your mystery carefully, dear ones. The Third Man may promise escape if you compromise, but he’ll lead you into darkness and death. The Fourth Man, however, will meet you in the fire, surrounding you with the courage not to bow to the world. And when the fire has done all it can do, you, faithful Believer, will come out unbound—not even smelling of smoke! This week, if obedience leads you into the furnace, remember that Jesus Christ will meet you there.

   Ponder this and go forth.