The guilty thief is pronounced not guilty and runs free from the court room. On the streets no one knew the judge was the thief's father. But the boy didn’t return home.  Sad-Free but reconciled. We are not just freed and forgiven, we are reconciled to God.  If we were only justified that would still leave us in dirty clothes cowering and uncertain although perhaps thankful for the goodness of the judge because He declares us holy and blameless.  God is no longer a judge but He is our father and reconciliation is a family term. So we can talk to him relate to him share with him. He is your father. Not only are we reconciled to God but we are reconciled to men of Eph 2: 16 the Jews and Gentiles the most difficult people ever to get on together are now made one through the cross that are due a Gentile can become brothers any of us can become brothers and sisters through the cross. The Cross was the most shameful thing to happen to a person.    They would die naked.   It was the pits  -  they would cheer gladiators on the way to die. But never a crucified person. Now Paul was the opposite of the sophist and young rhetoricians of his day. He was old, dressed badly, poor and couldn’t speak that well.   He said it is a miracle that the Corinthians listened or heard but it was God!   Paul said for them to believe on the gospel is a miracle. I came with  a ridiculous message, looking ridiculous to you but you changed it was a work of God.

Friend, the gospel is the power of God. it was then and it is now.