Are Apples Crimson? Addressing the Jobs Issue...

No this is not about unemployment, or the economy. But today I do want to take a departure from the normal path of this blog. Yesterday the world lost an influential figure in Steve Jobs, former CEO and founder of Apple, and conceptual genius behind the Apple Macintosh computer, the iPod, iPad, iPhone and others. Jobs was also the founder of the NEXT Corporation and the beloved Pixar Studios, the most successful animated film production company in the world, eclipsing even Disney. A true pioneer in his field it has been said that Jobs was the Henry Ford of this generation and certainly of the personal computing world. Doing a quick count we have 6 of his devices in our home today.

Steve Jobs succumbed to a battle with a rare form of pancreatic cancer in what was a rather private battle with the dreaded disease. In spite of the fact that we have two men bravely battling cancer in our small church of just 30 or so people, and know some of what these men are going through, I have no idea the struggles through treatment, through physical pain, through emotional upheaval, and spiritual unrest that Steve Jobs had gone through before he passes away. I simply know he is gone, and that the world laments his passing.

I have seen varying remarks about the death of Steve Jobs. Ranging from respectful business like obituaries, to personal and mournful eulogies. But what I have also seen are comments (albeit, some of them as tongue in cheek as one can get about a death...) raising Jobs to the point of divine. Here are a couple of missives I have read and copies below:

"The world will run slower without Jobs"
"Gather your kids around and listen to wonderful words from the man who changed everything."
"Steve Jobs will create a better user experience in Heaven. RIP." 
"Jobs was beyond icon status, approaching a demi-God like mythos."

This caused me to thinking. Was Steve Jobs a Christian? I did some research and using my Journalism 101 found confirming reports from three independent sources. Jobs, was in fact a Buddhist, and during his wedding a Zen Buddhist monk presided. Steve Jobs was born to Abdulfattah John Jandali, a Syrian Muslim and Joanne Simpson and was later adopted by Paul and Clara Jobs. His childhood was sadly all too typical for so many children born in this country today.


I am not here to judge Steve Jobs. That responsibility falls solely on our Creator God. But the facts seem to be in the open, and are not being disputed as far as I can see. While we as humans mourn the loss of any life, as Christians we consider the life of everyone in the context of eternity.

Go to most news stories you'll find on the internet this week regarding the death of Mr. Jobs, and you will find wonderful comments about his ingenuity, how he was "visionary", how his advances in technology have made our 'life experience' better, and how he 'changed everything'. From a certain point of view, these statements are true. My life, and the lives of most people I know have been touched by Apple brand products in one way or another. But bottom line, Steve Jobs was a man. Steve Jobs was a sinner just like you and me. If Steve Jobs did not have a saving relationship with His Father through the Sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, then with all due respect and with the utmost common dignity due, while Steve Job's effect on humankind right now might seem to be one of significance, his effect on eternity will be ZERO.
Scripture tells us, “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) Is this one of those cases? 

The Disciple Thomas is best known for his ‘doubt’. He had questions. Even after three years under the teaching of Jesus, he still had questions and doubts. Thomas wanted to see the holes in the hands and side of the risen Jesus. While he had found Jesus, he wanted to be convinced that Jesus was who He said He was. Why? Because earlier in his life (John 14:6), Jesus had a conversation with Thomas.  In our Crimson Conversation of the day, Jesus told Thomas, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

 I do not know if Steve Jobs has such a conversation or not. The fact that he was a self proclaimed Buddhist and that he had a Buddhist Monk perform his wedding ceremony seem to indicate that if Mr. Jobs knew Jesus, He did not believe the statement that Jesus told Thomas. Like so many others, Steve Jobs may have found Jesus, but not as his Lord and Savior.

I do not share this blog post today to in anyway degrade or bring dishonor to the life or person of Steve Jobs. He was obviously a self made and very influential man. It is said by some that he will “improve the experience of heaven”. Not hardly. It is said that he has achieved a ‘demi-god’ status, that he has changed everything. Let me tell you all something; only one man has ever changed everything, and His name is not Steve Jobs. Mr. Job’s impact seems to be worldly and not heavenly, and seems to be temporal and not eternal.

I write this today to ask one question; what will your impact be? Will it be temporal or eternal?  You could be a billionaire, you could invent the cure for cancer or AIDS, you could become President of the United States. You could become the richest most influential person on this planet, much like some say was Steve Jobs. But if you do not have that crimson conversation of confession and belief with Jesus Christ, your impact will become nothing and your work and efforts will have been in vain.

Steve Jobs funeral will be remembered by all. The good folks at the Westboro Baptist Church have promised to picket the event. “Westboro will picket his funeral. He had a huge platform; gave God no glory & taught sin,” This message was sent by the daughter of the Pastor of that church. In a moment of extreme irony, this message was ‘tweeted’ by Margie Wednesday night from her iPhone.

Don’t let your life be significant – and meaningless. Steve Jobs will be missed by many, but remember all the angels in heaven rejoice each time one person who is lost, is reunited with Christ. When this life is over what will your impact have been?