But to the penitent and the faithful Jesus shows himself the very personification of gentleness and mercy, and overflowing generosity, as may be seen from the Parables not only of the Prodigal Son but also of the Good Shepherd (John 10:1-30), the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1-7) and the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8-10).  All is summed up in Jesus’ words to the penitent Zacchaeus in Jericho, words which in turn summed up the very purpose of his life and death, “…the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost” (NRSV, Luke 19:10).

So those who in sincere penitence and faith respond to his invitation, “Come to me”, they find in the words of the hymn, that

“…the love of God is broader
than the measure of man's mind;
and the heart of the Eternal
is most wonderfully kind. (2)

References

1. Goodier, A. (1933) The Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ, London: Burns Oates & Washbourne Ltd.

2. Faber, F.W. (1862) There's a wideness in God's mercy.  Available from: http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/t/t490.html (Accessed 02 February 2011) (Internet).