Daily Thought for Thursday 20th March 2025
He replied, ‘But I see four men unbound, walking in the middle of the fire, and they are not hurt; and the fourth has the appearance of a god’.
Daniel 3:25 (NRSV)
Solidarity in oppression
Rev Colin D Johnston
It must have been the late ’60s, and our Sunday School choir was performing The Daniel Jazz, a cantata for children which picked up themes from the Book of Daniel. Looking back, it was theologically bizarre, but enormous fun. It was my introduction to the three young men in the fiery furnace, though in the Daniel Jazz the phrase went, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abedne-go for tea!” though Scripture suggests that their experience was not quite so enjoyable.
The Book of Daniel was written to encourage people who were living under tyranny and oppression. It is set in Babylon at the time Israel was in exile there. The three young men are called to live and be part of that society, but they draw a line at bowing down to worship other gods. They stick to their principles and are punished by King Nebuchadnezzar by being thrown into the extreme heat of a fiery furnace, which should mean certain death. But as the king watches, a fourth, seemingly divine, figure appears alongside the young men and delivers them from harm.
The passage raises questions about those who face persecution because of their beliefs or their political views which can lead to ostracism, imprisonment or even death. While the passage ends positively with the three young men unscathed, this is not always the case. We give thanks for the work of agencies such as Barnabas Aid, which highlights Christians living with persecution, or Amnesty International, working with political prisoners and keeping them in the forefront of our mind.
The passage also describes an angelic figure being in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego protecting them, and as we journey through Lent we remember Christ’s solidarity with us, and especially as he walked the way of suffering to the Cross.
Shall we pray?:
Father, we pray for all who endure mistreatment, imprisonment and even threats of death because of their faith in you. Keep them faithful. Amen.
Colin D. Johnston is minister of Cheviot Churches. He spent 25 years working as a mission partner in Africa and the Middle East.