The Vultures & the Carcass

Reanalyzing Matthew 24:28 with the Carcass as the Body of Christ and Vultures as Ignorance

Matthew 24:28

> "Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather." (▸ ± Matthew 24:28)

1. The Carcass as the Body of Christ

- In this verse, the **carcass** symbolizes the **body of Christ**—His sacrificial death on the cross. The death of Christ is the central event in God's redemptive plan. The **carcass**, as the physical body of Christ, represents **His offering for the sins of humanity**, a moment where Christ lays down His life for the world. - In **sensus plenior**, the **body of Christ** is more than just a physical body; it is the **revelation of God's redemptive work**. The **carcass** points to the death of Christ, the sacrificial Lamb, whose body was broken for the salvation of humanity.

2. The Vultures: "Cause to Wander in Ignorance"

- The **vultures** in this verse are symbols of **spiritual ignorance**. In Hebrew, the name for the vulture means "cause to wander in ignorance." The vultures gather around the carcass, but they do not truly understand its significance. They are **spiritually blind**, unable to recognize the redemptive work of Christ. - The **vultures** represent the **false teachings, spiritual blindness, and ignorance** that surround the true meaning of Christ's death. They gather around the carcass, but fail to see the life-giving power in Christ’s sacrifice, instead feeding on the misunderstanding and distortion of His purpose. - In this sense, the **vultures** symbolize those who **reject the fullness of Christ’s redemptive work**, unable to see the hope and resurrection that His death represents. They represent the **misunderstanding and distortion** that has surrounded the message of the cross throughout history.

3. The Gathering of the Vultures

- The act of the vultures gathering around the carcass shows the **spiritual blindness** that continues to surround the **truth of Christ's death**. While the **body of Christ** represents the **sacrifice that brings life**, the **vultures**, by contrast, represent the **ignorance** that fails to comprehend the true meaning of His death. - The vultures are **spiritually hungry**, but they are unable to receive the true nourishment of Christ's sacrifice. Instead of embracing the truth, they gather around the carcass, focusing on the **death** without understanding its purpose—redemption and life.

4. Christ's Death as the Source of Life

- The verse contrasts **spiritual ignorance** (symbolized by the vultures) with the **life-giving death** of Christ. While the vultures feast on the dead carcass, the **body of Christ** is not just a death; it is **the means of life** for those who understand its true significance. - The **vultures' ignorance** stands in contrast to the **truth** that is found in Christ’s death. The body of Christ, when truly understood, leads to **life**, whereas the vultures, symbolizing those who fail to see this, remain in their spiritual blindness.

Conclusion: The Carcass as Christ and the Vultures as Ignorance

- **The carcass** represents the **body of Christ**, the **sacrificial Lamb** whose death brings life to those who believe. It is the central act of redemption in God’s plan for humanity. - **The vultures**, representing **spiritual ignorance**, gather around the carcass but fail to understand its true meaning. They symbolize **false teachings** and **misunderstanding**, continuing to feast on a distortion of Christ's death, unable to see the life and hope it brings. - This passage serves as a reminder of the need to understand Christ's death in its **full redemptive significance**, rejecting the ignorance that surrounds it, and embracing the truth of the sacrifice that brings **eternal life**.