Weddings are usually eagerly awaited social events. The opportunity to join in the joy of others is a great privilege. That is especially so when the invitation is given by the king and the bridegroom is the king's son. Jesus used that scenario as the basis for another parable to the religious leaders; regarded as spiritual authorities but who did not want to accept His teaching. Neither did they want Him to stir up the people against their control.

The story would clearly not have a happy ending because after the king's servants had personally invited the guests, they all refused to attend. It was a major insult. Such refusal was socially rude and amounted to civil disobedience, a treasonous offence. The story pivots on the response to the king’s invitation to honour his son. It is obviously about God’s invitation to honour Jesus, which angered the Pharisees. They did not welcome Him as God’s Son but were so enraged by the parable that they, “… went out and laid plans to trap Him in His words” (Matthew 22:15).

Who were the servants? Throughout the Old Testament, God had sent prophets to get His people ready to meet His Son. The last of those was John the Baptist. His message was uncompromising, “Repent and believe the good news” (Mark 1:15). The trainee apostles were given the same message to preach (Luke 24:47). It is unchanged today (see www.crosscheck.org.uk).

Many religious people construct their own 'god-kingdom'. Although they may not realise it, they themselves are the gods whose commands must be obeyed. Jesus came to rescue people from the impossible strain of being their own god. He invites them to become His Bride and to honour Him as the bridegroom. The clergy of Jesus' day were no different from millions of people today who believe that they have no obligation to come when He calls or go when He sends - but they are wrong. They need to repent and believe the good news that all God’s purposes are fulfilled in Jesus … and to accept God’s invitation to be part of His eternal celebration of honouring Jesus.