Choosing What We Chase: Gifts for Jesus

Devotional

Day 1: Choosing What You Chase: Seek Jesus Above All

The wise men saw a single light in the sky and decided it was worth dropping everything to pursue. They left what was familiar, traveled far, and ordered their lives around finding Jesus. This season invites you to examine what truly captures your attention and energy. What we continually seek is eventually what we bow down to. Let your calendar, thoughts, and desires tilt toward Christ, so that your pursuit naturally becomes worship. Choose your chase carefully, because your chase will shape your surrender [09:47].

Matthew 2:1-2, 9-11
Travelers from the east arrived in Jerusalem asking where the newborn king of the Jews could be found, for they had seen a remarkable star and had come to honor him. After they heard the guidance, the star moved ahead of them and stopped over the child’s location. Overwhelmed with joy, they entered the house, saw Jesus with his mother, bowed low in worship, and opened their chests to present costly gifts.

Reflection: What pursuit is currently shaping your days the most, and what one change could you make this week to aim that pursuit toward seeing and honoring Jesus?

Day 2: Continue the Chase Through Distractions and Delays

Jerusalem knew the prophecies, yet it did not move; the wise men knew and kept going. It is easy to stay in comfortable places where schedules are full and intentions feel sufficient. But the journey to Jesus often requires pressing past delays, confusion, and competing voices. Keep moving—one prayer, one act of obedience, one step closer. Do not settle for proximity to the story when you are invited into the presence of the King [19:49].

Matthew 2:3-6
When the ruler heard about a newborn king, he was unsettled, and all Jerusalem with him. He gathered the scholars, asking where the Anointed One would be born. They answered from the prophets: “Bethlehem in Judah—though small—will produce the ruler who will shepherd my people.”

Reflection: Where have you settled into a “Jerusalem” of familiarity, and what specific step will you take this week to move toward “Bethlehem,” where obedience meets Jesus face-to-face?

Day 3: Let Scripture Guide Your Steps Toward Jesus

God may use unexpected signs, but His written Word is the sure guide. When the path feels unclear, Scripture provides light for the next faithful step and always leads toward Christ. Open the Bible not as a box to check, but as a lamp for your feet and clarity for your decisions. As you read, ask the Spirit to aim your steps at Jesus’ presence and purposes. Let the Word steady you when emotions and circumstances shift [21:36].

Psalm 119:105
Your word shines on the path in front of me, giving enough light to take the next step without stumbling.

Reflection: In the place you feel most “stuck,” which passage will you dwell in each morning this week, and how will you let it shape a single practical decision?

Day 4: Worship That Moves From Words to Surrender

The wise men didn’t stop at songs or sentiments; they opened their treasures. Love naturally turns into giving—time, attention, resources, and allegiance. Extravagant worship says, “You are worth more than my comfort and my plans.” This week, let your praise take on weight and shape—something you actually release for Jesus’ sake. Move from admiration to offering, from intention to investment [24:42].

Matthew 2:10-11
Seeing the star settle over the place, they burst with joy. They went in, saw the child with Mary, fell to the floor in reverence, and then opened their valuables to present him with gifts.

Reflection: What specific treasure—money, time, influence, or habit—do you sense Jesus inviting you to lay at His feet this week, and how will you do it?

Day 5: Gifts That Confess His Kingship, Presence, Sacrifice

Gold announced a true King; frankincense signaled worship and nearness; myrrh pointed to a costly rescue through death. Our gifts today still declare who Jesus is to us: we crown Him by obeying, welcome His presence by prayerful dependence, and honor His sacrifice by repentance and generous love. Let your giving say, “You rule my life; I need You near; I trust Your cross.” Open your heart and resources with the confidence that nothing surrendered to Him is wasted. All that we have and all that we are belong to Jesus [31:26].

2 Corinthians 8:9
You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ: though rich, He chose poverty for your sake, so that through His poverty you might share in His riches.

Reflection: Of the three meanings—King, Presence, Sacrifice—which is Jesus highlighting for you, and what one concrete step (a budget change, a prayer rhythm, or a humble act of reconciliation) will you take in response this week?

Sermon Summary

Matthew 2 invites me to ask, “What am I really chasing this Christmas?” The magi felt the pull of a star, but it wasn’t astronomy that moved them—it was hunger for a King. They dropped comfort, routine, and predictability to pursue Jesus. That’s the heart of it: what we seek is what we eventually surrender to. We can chase power, prestige, pleasure, or people, and we’ll end up pouring our time, attention, and treasure there. The magi chose differently; they chased Jesus.

Their journey was not straightforward. The star paused, Jerusalem buzzed, Herod schemed, and religious experts quoted Scripture yet stayed home. The magi kept going. I’m struck by that contrast: a whole city informed about Christ but unwilling to move toward Him, while outsiders press on until they see Him. When the path got cloudy, God used the Word—“as it is written by the prophet”—to clarify the way. Stars and dreams may get our attention, but Scripture gets us to Jesus.

When they finally arrived, they fell down and worshiped. But they didn’t stop with songs. Matthew says, “Then… opening their treasures.” Love seeks expression. In that room, worship became generosity. Their gifts spoke: gold for His kingship; frankincense for His presence in our lives; myrrh for His saving death. The point isn’t that God “needs” our stuff; it’s that our giving reveals what we value most. We know how to hunt for the perfect gift for loved ones; will we offer our best to the One the tradition began with?

I joked about Easy-Bake Ovens, Cabbage Patch dolls, Tickle Me Elmo, PS5s, Yetis, and earbuds because every season has its “must-have.” But let’s not miss the “must-give.” Choose what you’ll chase. Keep pursuing Jesus when the star seems to stall. Let Scripture reset your compass. Worship with your voice, then open your treasures—your resources, time, attention, reputation, and obedience. The way of the magi is the way of seeking, seeing, bowing, and bringing. All that I have, and all that I am, belongs to King Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. We become what we chase. What captures your attention will claim your allegiance. Desire grows into devotion; devotion grows into surrender. The magi teach us that pursuit is not neutral—it directs our worship and determines where our treasure goes. Choose Jesus as your pursuit, and your surrender will find its rightful King. [09:47]
2. Keep pursuing Jesus through obstacles. The star paused, politics intruded, and religious experts stayed home; the magi still moved forward. Faith is often tested at the “almost there” moments, where comfort and convenience invite us to stall. Press on until you find Him, resisting the pull to stay in a safe Jerusalem when Bethlehem is only a few miles further. [16:27]
3. Let Scripture set your compass. God may use unusual means to get your attention, but He uses His Word to give you direction. When the journey gets foggy, open the text—Scripture always leads to Jesus and never leaves you guessing about your next faithful step. Guidance isn’t a feeling to chase; it’s a Word to obey. [21:36]
4. Worship must move toward generosity. Falling down in adoration is the beginning; opening our treasures is the next faithful move. Giving doesn’t purchase God’s favor; it declares His worth and reorders our loves. When our lips say “King,” our lives and budgets should echo “all I have is Yours.” [24:42]
5. Gifts proclaim who Jesus is. Gold confesses His kingship, frankincense welcomes His presence, and myrrh embraces His saving death. Our gifts today—time, attention, resources, trust—carry the same proclamation: Jesus is sovereign, near, and sacrificial. Give in ways that tell the truth about His place in your life. [29:22]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:04] - The star that stirred a journey
[01:33] - Daniel’s influence and expected King
[02:35] - Rethinking gift-giving: gifts to Jesus
[03:48] - Reading Matthew 2:1-12
[05:40] - Christmas gift crazes and cravings
[09:23] - The greater gift we owe Jesus
[09:47] - Choose what you chase
[13:39] - When good things become ultimate
[15:27] - Keep going when the star pauses
[18:23] - Jerusalem hears but won’t move
[21:36] - Scripture as the sure guide
[23:19] - Entering the house: worship first
[24:42] - Then: opening their treasures
[29:22] - Gold, frankincense, myrrh: their meaning
[31:26] - Seek, worship, and surrender all

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Matthew 2:1-12

Observation questions (read Matthew 2:1-12 first)

What did the magi notice that started their journey, and what did they claim was their purpose in coming? [03:48]
What obstacles and interruptions arose as the magi traveled (e.g., the star stopping, Herod’s involvement, the response of the city)? [16:27]
What were the two clear responses the magi had when they found Jesus in the house? [24:42]
What contrast does the text present between the magi’s action and the reaction of Herod, the chief priests, and the scribes? What might the text be implying about those who “know” but do not go? [18:23]

Interpretation questions (look for what the text and sermon imply)

The statement “what we seek will inevitably be what we surrender to” connects the magi’s pursuit with their giving. How does Matthew 2 illustrate this connection between desire, pursuit, and surrender? [09:47]
The narrative shows the magi continuing when signs paused and when politics interfered. What does this suggest about the nature of faithful pursuit when the next steps are unclear or costly? [16:27]
The magi turn to Scripture (the prophets) for direction after the star seemed to stop. How does Matthew 2 portray the role of God’s written word in guiding seekers, and why might that matter for decisions today? [21:36]

Application questions (personal, practical)

Identify one thing you are currently chasing that shapes how you spend time, attention, and money. What would changing that pursuit look like this Christmas season? [09:47]
When your “star” seems to stall (confusion, delay, opposition), what is a concrete next step you can take to keep pursuing Jesus instead of settling where it’s comfortable? Name a person, habit, or practice that would help. [16:27]
What comforts or calendar pressures most tempt you to stay in “Jerusalem” rather than go a short distance to meet Jesus? What is one small change you can make this week to remove that barrier? [18:23]
When you don’t know what to do next about a spiritual decision, what practices will you use to let Scripture set your compass? (Be specific: which passages, which translation, who to talk with, when to read.) [21:36]
Worship with words and worship with resources are both shown in the story. What would “opening your treasures” look like for you right now — financially, with time, or with reputation — and what is one tangible step you can take this month to show Jesus that priority? [24:42]
The magi’s gifts announced who Jesus is (king, present, sacrificial). Which of those three truths needs a clearer testimony in your life — kingship, presence, or sacrifice — and what specific action will you take to make that testimony visible to others? [29:22]

Sermon Clips

Now, a part of the Christmas celebration today is a lot of that tradition that comes from the wise men.The opening of gifts.And we offer and open gifts with family and friends.But has it ever dawned on us that the true tradition isn't of the giving of gifts to others?When the wise men show up in that house, they don't give gifts to Joseph and Mary.They don't give them to the straggling shepherds that were there.They gave to Jesus. [00:02:27] (27 seconds) #GiftsToJesus

``The first one is, and I think it's probably the most important of all the points that I'm going to communicate today, is that number one, like the wise men, we need to choose what we chase.We need to choose what we chase.And we need to understand, and this is so very important, and listen, this is the price of admission right here, right?This is it.What we seek will inevitably be what we surrender to. [00:09:35] (24 seconds) #ChooseWhatYouChase

Now the Bible never says that we are not to seek after other things.The Bible doesn't say to have other things is wrong.It never says that.The Bible doesn't say that pursuing and chasing after things is bad.But what it does tell us is that if we are going to chase after things,instead of chasing after Jesus, we've got a problem.The Bible throughout its pages calls this chasing idolatry.And what it is is taking good thingsand making them more important than the great things.It's taking the secondary things and making it the primary thing. [00:12:01] (44 seconds) #ChooseJesusNotIdols

For some, Christmas is a journey to make sure the house looks just right, to make sure all the gifts are bought, to make sure the food tastes just right, to make sure all the traditions and all that, to make sure that there's a gift under the tree, the gift that I've wanted.But friends, what we need to know and recognize is when we pursue those things as ultimate things, they're going to let us down. [00:13:25] (26 seconds) #DontChaseStuff

And how ironic is it, it doesn't even hit the new year before that gift is either brokenor we're on to bigger and better things.You see, when we fill our lives with the stuff instead of the substance of what Christmas is all about, Jesus,as Solomon says, we're going to chase after the wind.That's why Paul says in the book of Colossians 3, verse 2, he says that we need to set our hearts and our minds not on earthly things, but on heavenly things. [00:14:41] (36 seconds) #SetHeartsOnHeaven

why?because our treasure is somewhere else the Bible says where your treasure is there your heart is also so they said we want to make it abundantly clear today our treasure is Jesus the wise men say and we're going to prove it through our worship and we're going to prove it through the giving of gifts and they don't give anything of insignificance they give their treasures [00:28:52] (23 seconds) #TreasureIsJesus

myrrh a spice a scent that was used to embalm and to finalize the burial process tells us that this king had a destiny he was a king that was going to die this king wouldn't keep his riches for himself but he would sacrifice himself though he was rich the apostle Paul says he became poor on our behalf they openedtheir treasures and their gifts began to signify who Jesus was [00:30:09] (37 seconds) #MyrrhAndSacrifice

what treasure is God calling you to open up and to put before him to lay at his feet does he need it the answer is no but it signifies that Jesus holds a deep and profound place in our livesbecause when we do thatwhen we seek the Lord with all our heart we'll find him the Bible says and when we find him we should worship him and then upon worshiping him we should open our hearts and our gifts and sayall that I have and all that I am belongs to you Jesus [00:31:06] (44 seconds) #GiveAllToJesus

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