A disgusting parable

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Jean
Jesus seems to be thought of by most people I know as a paragon of compassion 
and kindliness.  Even non-believers are quick to hold him up as a "great 
teacher," who "changed the world" with his compassionate values.  The Good 
Samaritan parable is usually given as the yardstick by which Jesus' character 
is measured.  But what do they make of this?


>From Matthew 22:

1. And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said,
2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage 
for his son,
3. And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: 
and they would not come.
4. Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, 
Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and 
all things are ready: come unto the marriage.
5. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another 
to his merchandise:
6. And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew 
them.
7. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his 
armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
8. Then saith he to his servants, the wedding is ready, but they which were 
bidden were not worthy.
9. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to 
the marriage.
10. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all 
as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with 
guests.
11. And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had 
not on a wedding garment:
12. And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a 
wedding garment?  And he was speechless.
13. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him 
away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing 
of teeth.
14. For many are called, but few are chosen.  

So, the king lays waste to an entire city to avenge the murders of a few 
servants.  Then he forces people in from the street to attend his son's 
wedding.  When one guy isn't properly attired (he just got marshalled in from 
the street, remember?) he is tied up and thrown out into the darkness.

Is there anybody out there who can tell me what sort of justice and 
compassion this parable represents?

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