For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.
Matthew 18:11. For the Son of man cometh Christ now employs his own example in persuading his disciples to honor even weak and despised brethren; for he came down from heaven to save not them only, but even the dead who were lost It is in the highest degree unreasonable that we should disdainfully reject those whom the Son of God has so highly esteemed.
The disciples asked who would be greatest in the kingdom, not from hunger for holiness but for name and rank. They had dreamed of a temporal kingdom with external pomp and power, fastened upon Christ's words of glory while forgetting His sufferings. Many love to hear of privileges and crown while overlooking the yoke and cross.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 18:1-35
And if so be that he find it,.... Which is a casual and uncertain thing with the shepherd, but not so with Christ, who certainly finds all those he goes after, and seeks: for, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep; at the finding of it, whose loss greatly affected him, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray...