Weddings are usually eagerly-awaited social events. The opportunity to join in the joy of others is a great privilege, especially 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 who did not want to accept His teaching or allow Him to stir up the people against the religious hierarchy.
 
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, which even the Pharisees would have noted. Their refusal was socially rude and amounted to civil disobedience.
 
Jesus told the parable to help the clerics to see that although God had called them to serve in His kingdom; they thought it was their kingdom and that they had no responsibility to welcome Jesus as God's Son.
 
Many religious people construct their own 'god-kingdom' and, 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 other people who believe that they have no obligation to come when He calls or go when He sends - but they are wrong.