The Man on the Middle Cross

Few gospel summaries are as arresting, or as disarmingly simple, as the line that inspired Alistair Begg’s short book The Man on the Middle Cross “The man on the middle cross said I can come.” Maybe you recognise that phrase from a video that does the rounds on social media every few months. From that memorable phrase, Begg unfolds a brief but powerful meditation on the heart of the Christian message.

In fewer than fifty pages, Begg invites readers to consider three encounters with Jesus: the Samaritan woman at the well, the paralysed man lowered through the roof, and the dying thief on the cross. Through these stories, he carefully traces a common thread – the gracious initiative of Christ towards people who have nothing to offer him but their need. 

What makes this little book so compelling is its clarity. Begg writes with the pastoral warmth and theological precision that have characterised his decades of preaching. The gospel here is not buried beneath abstraction or argument, it is simply proclaimed. The reader is confronted with the central question – if asked why we should be admitted into heaven, what answer could we give? Begg’s answer is the same one given by the thief beside Jesus – nothing but the invitation of Jesus himself. 

The strength of the book lies in its accessibility. Short, engaging, and rooted in Scripture, it is ideal not only for believers who need to rehearse the simplicity of grace, but also for those exploring the Christian faith and sceptics who may be encountering the gospel for the first time. It is easy to imagine churches keeping stacks of copies ready for evangelistic conversations, particularly as we approach Easter.

At a time when many resources are lengthy and complex, The Man on the Middle Cross is refreshingly direct. It reminds us that the gospel is not ultimately about what we have done for God, but about what Jesus has done for us. For that reason, this small book may prove to be a remarkably useful tool in the hands of ordinary Christians seeking to point others to Jesus.