AMY TURNER

Scotty Inman recently released his latest single, Man On The Middle Cross, a heartfelt song that delves into themes of redemption, grace, and salvation. Featuring the powerful vocals of Jason Crabb and Charlotte Ritchie, the song has meaningful lyrics, reflecting the central Christian message of finding hope through Jesus.

Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this is not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” NASB. In Man On The Middle Cross, Inman speaks to the universal longing for salvation and the realization that human efforts alone cannot secure a place in heaven. The lyrics highlight the importance of faith in Christ, with lines that emphasize grace and the sacrifice of Jesus as the only way to find redemption. The chorus, in particular, underscores this message, as Inman sings:

“My only prayer, my only plea / The only hope for a sinner like me / There was a price I couldn’t pay / But Jesus did and HE’s the only way.”

This especially reflects the verse in Ephesians which teaches that salvation is a gift from God, available through faith and the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. The verse and the song together affirm that our hope and redemption lie not in our own merit but solely in the grace extended by Jesus—the “man on the middle cross.”

The collaboration with Jason Crabb and Charlotte Ritchie brings an added dimension to the song, as both artists are celebrated in gospel and Christian music for their passionate and soulful singing. Scotty Inman has expressed his admiration for Ritchie’s talent, noting the significant role her voice plays in enhancing the song’s impact. In his words:

“I’ve always been a huge fan of Charlotte Ritchie. I love her voice. I love her spirit. We asked her, ‘Would you sing the third part on this?’ And she said, ‘Absolutely.’ And it was the right touch on that song to have her singing it. And of course, anytime you get Jason Crabb on a song, it just goes to another level.”

The lyrics of Man On The Middle Cross convey a humble acknowledgment of human imperfections and a celebration of divine grace. The song opens with verses that reflect on the different ways people hope to reach heaven, while also recognizing the insufficiency of simply “doing good.” Inman’s lyrics confess that despite our best efforts, we all carry “baggage” and imperfections, and that without Christ, we could never be “good enough.” He sings:

“Lots of folks got lots of ways
Hoping to make it through those pearly gates
Just do some good, live like they should
Trusting that’s all it’s gonna take

But I know me, all my baggage, all my stuff
I’ll never be good enough”

The lyrics reminder the listener of the Biblical truth of salvation through Jesus.