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Have you ever meditated on the thief on the cross next to Jesus? In this week’s episode of More Than a Song, I explore Melanie Penn’s powerful track “Man On The Middle Cross,” a song sung from the perspective of that repentant criminal. His story—one of mockery turned to mourning, and ultimately to mercy—invites us to reflect deeply on the grace of salvation. Join me as we dive into Luke’s Gospel and uncover the beauty of redemption through the eyes of a man who received eternal life in his final moments.

Key Points

• The thief’s perspective reveals grace. Melanie Penn’s song gives voice to the repentant criminal, highlighting the radical mercy of Jesus and the simplicity of salvation through faith.
• Mourning and mocking are central themes in Luke’s crucifixion account. These emotional responses reflect both the sorrow of loss and the rejection of truth, offering rich ground for reflection and study.
• The thief was a real person with a real encounter with Christ. Engaging Scripture with the understanding that its characters were real helps deepen our connection to the biblical narrative.
• The criminals were likely rebels, not petty thieves. Their crimes were serious—possibly insurrection—making the thief’s redemption even more astonishing and powerful.
• Jesus was treated like a criminal, though He was innocent. He fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy by being “numbered with the transgressors,” showing His identification with sinners.
• Salvation is a free gift, not earned. Romans 6:23 reminds us that eternal life is given by grace, not merit—just as the thief received it in his final moments.

Scripture References

• Luke 23:32–43
• Luke 22–24
• Isaiah 53:12
• Romans 6:23
• Romans 3:23

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)

• Read in Context.
• Read and Listen to Scripture.
• Read Scripture Out Loud.
• Repetition.
• Word Study.
• Compare and Contrast.
• Remember the People Were Real.

Additional Resources

• Download the free Episode Guide
• Story behind the song "Man on the Middle Cross" - Melanie Penn on Friday With Friends - Bonus Episode
• Complete lyrics to all of the songs on her album, The Rising – A Resurrection Album, with Scripture references for you to explore - A gift from Melanie Penn herself! Click Here for the PDF.
• Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Luke 22-24 several times over several days. Make a list of every example of mourning. Make a list of every instance of mocking. Journal your observations and thoughts around both. Consider that the repentant criminal on the cross was a real person with a genuine experience of Christ and is truly in paradise with our Savior to this day. Believe in the Lord like this man and allow repentance to lead you to a right relationship and eternal salva

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Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

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Welcome to Friday With Friends! I have the distinct privilege of meeting incredible followers of Christ who have amazing ministries, fascinating careers, and incredible hobbies and pet projects that flow out of their identity in Christ.

While my podcast is a solo show, I still want a venue to introduce you to these friends as examples of the multifaceted ways God works in and through His people.

In this episode, I have the privilege of hosting Melanie Penn to discuss how God's Word influences her personal and professional life, as well as her new album, The Rising - A Resurrection Album, a compelling collection of original songs that chronicle the pivotal period between Christ's burial and His ascension.

Melanie Penn is a Nashville-based songwriter at the crossroads of faith and culture. After studying classical voice in college, she moved to New York City and pursued musical theatre, where she enjoyed several years as a mainstay in the theatre scene, most notably playing Sandy on the Broadway national tour of Grease! starring Frankie Avalon. After years in the Broadway scene, Melanie transitioned to songwriting and started a collaboration with Nashville producer Ben Shive. Melanie is also a worship leader and, for many years, served at Redeemer Presbyterian Church under the leadership of author and theologian Tim Keller. She has been called "a New York songwriter in the age of skepticism."

Don't miss this interview for a unique insight into Melanie's interaction with God's Word and how soaking in the resurrection of Christ for over two years changed her.

And get ready for an episode of More Than a Song using her song Man On The Middle Cross to dive into Scripture coming soon!

Melanie's Free Gift for YOU

Complete lyrics to all of the songs on her album, The Rising - A Resurrection Album, with Scripture references for you to explore.

Yes, please!

Connect with Melanie

• Website: https://www.melaniepenn.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melaniepenn/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melaniepennsings/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/melaniepennnyc
• Album: The Rising – A Resurrection Album | Spotify | Apple
• Podcast: The Rising | Spotify | Apple

Bonus: Melanie's Mom's BITE

Melanie shared a Bible Interaction Tool Exercise that her mom uses in this interview, but I love it in "Mom's words" because she's just so precious. Not to mention, it's fabulous advice!

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.

Send us a text

What does the church look like when it reflects the truth of Scripture? Inspired by Tauren Wells’ song Let The Church Sing, I explore the “one” statements in Ephesians 4 and the declarations of God’s uniqueness in Jeremiah and Isaiah. This episode is a call to meditate deeply on God’s character and to examine whether we’ve allowed our structures, traditions, or programs to become idols in our worship.

Key Points

• Unity in the Church: The lyrics of the song reflect the “one” statements in Ephesians 4, emphasizing one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God.
• Meditation Over Efficiency: Biblical meditation is a slow, deliberate process that contrasts with our culture’s obsession with productivity. It invites us to linger in God’s Word and allow it to shape us.
• Striving vs. Surrender: Michelle shares her personal journey from striving through achievement to surrender through meditation, especially during a wilderness season in her life.
• Idolatry in Modern Church Structures: Drawing from Jeremiah and Isaiah, the episode explores how even well-intentioned church structures, programs, and traditions can become idols if they replace true worship of God.
• God’s Unmatched Greatness: Scripture repeatedly declares that there is no one like our God. This truth is central to both the song and the episode’s message.
• Reorienting Worship: The call is to fix our eyes on God, not on the “scarecrows in the cucumber field” — the false idols and distractions that draw us away from Him.

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs)

• Meditation – Slow down and linger in God’s Word.
• Repetition – Read and re-read passages to internalize truth.
• Read in context – Don’t isolate verses; read surrounding passages.
• Start with God – Focus on His character, conduct, and concerns.
• Compare translations – Gain deeper understanding through varied wording.
• Make a list – Identify characteristics of God from the text.

Additional Resources

• Download the free Episode Guide
• Faith Behind The Song: 'Let The Church Sing' Tauren Wells - Air1.com Article
• Bible Interaction Roadmap Bible Study - videos and assignments that will equip you with habits you can use over and over in your own Bible Study - Learn More
• Learn more about my favorite Bible Study Software with a 30-day free trial and links to my favorite Bible resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read Jeremiah 10 and keep on reading. Recognize that God is very concerned with anything that sets itself up to take the highest place of honor and worship. Prayerfully ask God to reveal if there is anything in your heart, mind, or life that you are expecting to deliver you that is ANYTHING but God Himself. Meditate on God and the ways there is no one like Him. And stop putting up with anything less than HIM.

Purchase your copy of A Seat at the Table today!

Change your music. Change your life. Join my free 30-Day Music Challenge. CLICK HERE.