Have you noticed how many people mistakenly believe the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden was an apple? The Bible tells us it was “…the tree of the knowledge of good and evil….” (Genesis 2:17) This is an extinct fruit. Adam and Eve were enticed to partake of the forbidden fruit by the serpent, who challenged God’s word and said, “You surely shall not die!” (Genesis 3:4) As they listened to the Serpent, he told them, “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate….”

Have you noticed the logo for the Apple Computer Company? It’s an apple with a bite missing. I have thought little of the connection between the forbidden fruit and Apple computers. Little that is until I purchased one.

January 18, 2008, Judy and I purchased an iMac computer, made by Apple. We anteed up the big bucks and bought the “big dog” computer, the one with the huge screen that makes you feel like you are sitting in the front row of a theater—up close and personal. We were overwhelmed by the sharpness of the screen and the fact that everything was contained in the monitor. What a machine! And everyone said, “It is good--Mac computers are great—they’re practically indestructible—they almost run themselves—they are maintenance free.” We looked at the machine and realized it was a delight to the eyes, and that the machine was desirable to make us wise, for creative people use Macs!

We also looked at the extended warranty with its’ huge cost and pondered our options. As we thought, I’d swear we heard a voice whispering in our ears, “It surely shall not die!” So we closed the deal, denied the warranty, and took our prize home. And all was well—until the normal warranty expired. Shortly after it expired, so did our beautiful iMac. As I looked for ways to resurrect the fallen said computer, I soon discovered that these large iMac machines are not so infallible. In fact, they are quite fallible and very prone to last until just past their basic warranty. “Surely,” I thought, “a reputable company such as Apple will run to my rescue, apologize for having misled me with deceptive advertising and a false reputation.”  But alas, dear reader, such was not to be. In fact, I’ve discovered that Apple is an elusive brand once you’ve crossed over to the dark side and made the big buy. I get endless phone recordings telling me to try another number, or I talk to India who wants me to buy a new iMac because it’s cheaper than fixing the “outdated” model I have (GIVE ME A BREAK—15 MONTHS SHOULD NOT OUTDATE AN APPLE!!!!!) Even the manager of the local store where I purchased this piece of…oops, don’t want to go there…has tried to obtain a simple phone number at Apple where I can ask for help. Even he can’t get a number.

Here’s the point to my ranting. This morning I read in Hebrews 7:25 about how Jesus is our permanent High Priest. And the author said, about Jesus, “…since He always lives to make intercession for them (meaning us).” Oh my goodness! I can’t find anyone at Apple to talk with me about my problem, but I have an Intercessor in heaven Who “…always lives to make intercession…for me. A computer is, basically, insignificant; heaven is—well, more than significant. And I can talk to heaven anytime. How’s that for reordering priorities on a Monday morning?