Our gospel reading for this week picks and chooses from a series of event/encounters that begin to define Jesus’ mission and ministry. Although a variety of currents are ebbing and flowing in this text, the underlying give-and-take is about the identity and nature of discipleship. First, a new individual disciple, Matthew, is singled out and called in almost case-study fashion. Then a surprising definition for all who would become disciples is offered. Finally, within the context of stacked-together miracle stories, Jesus reveals to his new followers the authority and power he commands, an authority and power which may be available to them as well.

After calling his fishermen disciples, the only other “calling” recorded in Matthew’s gospel is his own (9:9). In today’s text Matthew is desc…