This past week, Apple released the new iPhone 6 and 6Plus. In the same week, legendary band U2 released their latest album. What do the these 2 iconic groups have to do with each other in the week of releases? I will not say absolutely nothing, but I will say “Absolutely Opposite!” Here is what I mean…
Apple released 2 phones. The price points were $199 to $849 (depending on a mobile contract). U2 released their album free to everyone that has an iTunes account…are you ready…ABSOLUTELY FREE! I am not much of a business mind, but I really have trouble putting my mind around that marketing decision. Especially of U2! Really, U2––we would have purchased this album. You guys are like U2 and stuff….right?!?!?!?! Well, I haven’t received a reason for the why of either price point that varies by over $600, but my brain began to think of this:
Countless millions of people have an iTunes account. They have paid big bucks for MacBook Pros, iPhones, and iPads. There are also millions who have paid big bucks for Samsung phones, Tablets, and other “PC” computing devices. U2 has truly reached the masses; Apple has reached just a part of a market.
Now before you check out, I am not here to talk about the marketing strategies of Apple or Samsung or debate who has the better phone. I am truly just making a point. U2 has reached EVERYONE! Apple, only a few in comparison.
With all of this, I think to myself how Jesus identifies with both the “niche” market, and has the “corner of the market.” I think of the words of scripture found in Luke 19:10.
“For the son of man (Jesus) came to seek and save the lost.”
Jesus identifies with the idea of identifying with a market. Jesus came to save the lost.
1 Tim. 2:3 – 4 identifies God wants everybody.
“3 … God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.”
Jesus paid the price for our eternity. A price He paid with His life! It was free for you and I… well, for anyone that would believe. He truly “Paid the Price for Free!”
Romans 3:23 & 24 sum it up well for us ALL…
23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
24 Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
I’m so glad that Jesus is taking ALL of the market, just not some of it!
By the way, I have an iTunes account and received the new U2 Album “Songs of Innocence”––FREE! As for the new iPhone 6, well, my 4S is still going strong!