The poem “Lost and Found” is about God finding us even when the religious overlook us. Pharisees and religious leaders called Jesus a hypocrite when he ate dinner with sinners.

I wrote this poem for my sermon, “A Welcoming Grace.” There are times when I write poetry from the weekly readings because poetic ideas help my sermon creativity.

Luke 15:1-7 The Story of the Lost Sheep

By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story. “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, you can be sure you would put it across your shoulders, rejoicing, and when you got home call in your friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me! I’ve found my lost sheep!’ Count on it—there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.