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.