Matthew identifies himself in his gospel as a "tax collector." When you learn about how tax collectors were perceived in that day, that is surprising. However, Matthew was about to meet Jesus, get to know him, and believe in him. That would change everything for Matthew! Matthew was forgiven and when Matthew was forgiven, he was given a way to live with his past. He could live with his past because he knew that God's grace covered over it. It was evidence of just how much God did for him!
