Earlier in this parable (Matthew 22:1-7) Jesus had told of a king who invited guests to the wedding of his son. But they had all refused, repeatedly; they had beaten and killed the messengers who asked them to come. The king was very angry and sent in the army to deal with them and destroy their comfortable lifestyle. But the king still wanted people to enjoy the wedding and the banquet and so he decided to invite other people who had no reason to expect any invitation from him.

More messengers were sent out into the city. They sought out anybody who would respond and told them that they would be welcome in the palace. They did find some decent people, but some who they found on the street corners were not clean or suitably dressed, and some were disreputable.

They did come, and many of them too. The banqueting hall was full. They had all been invited, just as the original guests, but these were willing to say, ‘Yes’. Jesus was talking about the tax collectors and immoral women who were willing to listen to Him and who trusted Him, and even Gentiles. The original guests were the religiously correct people of Israel, but they were not willing to honour Jesus. They forfeited their place in the palace, because (despite their claim to honour the 'king') they really exalted themselves and despised God.

Jesus had already said, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21). The apparently 'good' religious leaders refused to do what God wanted, but the obviously ‘bad’ people in society were willing to trust Jesus. What a lesson to us. It is not our piety or rituals which demonstrate our devotion of Christ, but our obedience in responding to His call. If you have heard Him call you - obey! There is no other safe option.