Obedience on Display: Following God

I’ll never forget this moment. My grandma was very sick, and I spent a lot of time in the hospital. I had prayed, asking God to let her live long enough to see me get married. He did—she saw my wedding in July 2008. By January, we knew her time was almost up.

One day, I was riding the hospital elevator with a heavy heart, when a Hispanic woman stepped in. I felt the Holy Spirit gently push me to speak. I asked if she had someone in the hospital. She said her husband was dying and no priest had come to bless him. I told her my uncle was a pastor and offered his help.

He visited her husband that day—and he gave his life to Jesus. The next day, he passed away.

I had to leave, but my sister stayed in touch. She helped the woman through the funeral, and our church welcomed her in. She later gave her life to God—and she’s still faithfully serving Him today.

It showed me that even small acts of obedience can change a life forever.

That moment in the hospital showed me how powerful it is to just listen and follow when God speaks—especially in hard times.

And when we take a moment to read God’s Word in Luke 2:22–38, we see something similar. Four people show us what it looks like to be in the right place at the right time—where God leads, doing what He asks, and speaking the words He gives.

Before we dive In I want to share that

The story in Luke 2:22-38 takes place shortly after the birth of Jesus, at the Temple in Jerusalem, as described in the Gospel of Luke. Mary and Joseph brought Jesus there to fulfill the requirements of the Law of Moses, exactly 40 days after His birth. Why 40 days? According to the Law, Mary was considered ceremonially unclean after giving birth and had to wait a specified period before presenting herself for purification. This visit served two important purposes: to present Jesus to the Lord and for Mary’s purification, in accordance with the Law of Moses. As stated in Leviticus 12

Luke 2:22-38 Jesus Presented in the Temple

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”[b]

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

29 “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,     you may now dismiss[c] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,     and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[d] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

In this passage, we meet four people—Mary, Joseph, Simeon, and Anna—who were each exactly where God wanted them to be, doing what He asked, and speaking what He gave them to say.

This reminds us of a powerful truth: A faith-driven response to Gods direction can look like being where He leads, doing what He asks, and speaking the words He gives us.

Main Idea

This reminds us of a powerful truth: A faith-driven response to Gods direction can look like being where He leads, doing what He asks, and speaking the words He gives us.

So today, I want to look at four powerful ways we can live out that kind of heartfelt surrender—just like Joseph, Mary, Simeon, and Anna did in Luke 2.

Honoring God Through Faithful Response To Scripture

2. Following Where The Spirit Leads

3. Living In Alignment With Gods Will

4. Walking In Step With the Spirit

1. Lets look at the first point Honoring God Through Faithful Response To Scripture (Luke 2:22-24)

22 When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”[a]), 24 and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons

A. Joseph and Mary from before the the birth of Jesus followed the law of the Lord.

b. Joseph and Mary show us how important it is to respond to God with faithful actions. They traveled for the census, had Jesus circumcised eight days after He was born, and followed the rules for purification and dedication at the right time. Because they obeyed, they were in the right place at the right time—and they heard the words God wanted them to hear.

Application: 

B. Jesus saw the faithful response of Joseph and Mary as they followed God’s law. Their example still teaches us today what it means to live with steady faith. In the same way, people are watching how we live. Our faithful response to God’s Word can shape the lives of others too.

For me, I learned to stay committed to church, keep my eyes on Jesus—not people—and stay faithful in prayer and in God’s Word because of the example set by my great-grandmother, grandmother, aunts, and my mom. Their dedication helped shape who I am.

Proverbs 22:6 says, “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.”

For some of us, that example of godly devotion might have come from a friend, mentor, pastor, or teacher.

Has someone made such a strong impact on your life that their example still helps guide your choices today? You probably already see their face in your mind.

And if not, I encourage you to pray and ask God to bring someone into your life who will walk with you. We weren’t meant to do life alone.

Example: 

Even Jesus didn’t act on His own but waited for the Father’s direction. Though He was fully God and fully human, He still chose to walk in complete reliance. The example of His earthly parents, who lived faithfully before God, also played a role in shaping His submission to the Father’s will. John 12:49 For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken; Philippians 2:8  "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross!"John 6:38, "For I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but to do the will of him who sent me

Just as Jesus relied on the Father’s guidance in His life, we are also called to follow where the Spirit leads us, just like Simeon did in Luke 2. This brings me to my second point

2. Following Where The Spirit Leads (Luke2: 25-28)

25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. 27 Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, 28 Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,     you may now dismiss[a] your servant in peace. 30 For my eyes have seen your salvation, 31     which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: 32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,     and the glory of your people Israel.”

Explanation:

A. Simeon knew the prayer that was closest to his heart. He was clear in his mind about the promise he had been waiting for. The Bible doesn’t explicitly say that Simeon knew he was being led by the Holy Spirit to go to the temple to meet Jesus—it simply states that he was moved to go. Simeon recognized this call because of his intimate, ongoing relationship with God. He was attuned to the Spirit’s guidance and direction. As John Trapp beautifully puts it, the moment Simeon laid eyes on Jesus, he knew the fulfillment of God's promise had come.

b. poem:

“I fear no sin, I dread no death; I have lived long enough, I have my life; I have longed enough, I have my love; I have seen long enough, I have my light; I have served enough, I have my saint; I have sorrowed enough, I have my joy; Sweet babe, let this psalm serve as a lullaby to thee, and for a funeral for me. Oh, sleep in my arms, and let me sleep in they peace.” David Guzik, Luke, David Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible (Santa Barbara, CA: David Guzik, 2013), Lk 2:25–32.

Application: 

B. As followers of Christ, we can also have a relationship with the Lord that helps us recognize when the Holy Spirit is prompting us to act—whether God is fulfilling a promise for someone else or for ourselves. Remember the story I shared earlier? The Holy Spirit moved me to speak with someone, and through that, two people received salvation. The reason Jesus came was so we could be redeemed through His ultimate sacrifice.

Example: 

Do it again!

In the 1940s a professor of theology took his students on a tour of English sites of theological significance. Included on the tour was the home of John Wesley the founder of Methodism and a pivotal figure in the 18thcentury revival that swept through England and North America. At the end of the tour the professor realized that one of his students was not on the bus. Returning to the house he found him kneeling by the side of Wesley’s bed, his knees resting in the imprints left by Wesley from his many hours spent praying for revival. The student was praying earnestly ‘Do it again Lord’. The professor tapped him on the shoulder and said, ‘It’s time to go’ and with that Billy Graham rose to his feet and left. It’s estimated that over the next 60 years Graham preached the Good News of Jesus to over 2 billion people and saw over 3 million make a personal decision to follow Christ. God did indeed ‘do it again’.

Simeon had a deep hunger for revival—he was waiting for God to bring new life to Israel. In the same way, Billy Graham, like the young man in the story, longed to see God move again, just like He did through John Wesley.

Simeon got to hold the answer to his prayers in his own arms when he saw Jesus. In the story, Billy Graham knelt in the very place Wesley once did—it's like he was holding onto the same hope and vision.

God kept His promise to Simeon, and in a way, He also answered the cry for revival through Billy Graham’s life.

Simeon’s story marks a passing from the Old Covenant to the New—and just like that, there’s a sense of spiritual legacy, a baton passed from Wesley to Graham, continuing God’s work through generations.

this brings me to my third point

Living In Alignment With Gods Will(Luke 2: 33-35)

33 The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, 35 so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Explanation: 

Based on, David Guzik’s commentary on Luke

a. For the fall and rising of many: This would be shown in the way that Peter repented, but Judas despaired; in that one thief blasphemed, the other believed. Jesus is like a magnet that is attractive to some, but others are repelled from Him. Joseph and Mary had to present for all of it.

b. A sword will pierce through your own soul also: It was important for Mary to know that mothering the Messiah would not be all sweetness and light. It was both a great privilege and a great burden.

c. Possibly no other human agonized as much over Jesus’ rejection and suffering as His mother did. This was not only because of the natural love of a mother, but also because His rejection was her rejection.

Application:

Here in the United States, it can be easy to follow Jesus when it’s comfortable—when it fits into our schedule or stays within our comfort zone. But true obedience often calls us to more than that. Mary and Joseph followed God even when it cost them their comfort, their reputation, and their plans. In many parts of the world, Christians face real danger—some are killed just for owning a Bible or saying they follow Jesus. In places like North Korea, Somalia, or Nigeria, following Christ can mean risking your life. Yet, they remain faithful. So we have to ask ourselves: Are we really willing to obey God no matter the cost? Would we say yes to Jesus if it meant losing our comfort, our future plans, or being misunderstood by others? Sometimes we say we follow Him, but our actions may show something else. And how do we respond to people who hurt us when they reject or misrepresent the Jesus we love? These are hard questions—but they help us see whether we’re truly living with surrendered hearts, ready to make Jesus known.

Jesus’ message often comes with a cost. The disciples faced rejection and persecution; their hearts were pierced by the burdens of their calling. This aligns with Simeon's prophecy for Mary, emphasizing that following Christ means embracing both joy and suffering. We need to recognize that the painful aspects of our journey can lead to profound growth for ourselves and others as we learn to rely on God's grace.

4. Walking In Step With the Spirit(Luke 2:36-38)

36 There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, 37 and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.[b] She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38 Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem

Explanation: 

Anna, a prophet, was also in the temple at that time. She was very old—84 years—and had been a widow for most of her life after her husband passed away just seven years into their marriage. Instead of remarrying, Anna chose to stay at the temple, dedicating her life to worship through fasting and prayer. The Bible says she "never left the temple," meaning she made it her life's focus to be there whenever the doors were open, spending her days seeking God. Her devotion and faith were evident in the way she lived. Her private devotion made her ready to recognize Jesus when He came. She began to thank the Lord for the redemption of Jerusalem. This moment marks the first coming of Jesus. Imagine how significant that moment must have been!

Application: How does this apply to our lives today?

Anna's life of devotion and obedience to God sets an example for us all. Like her, we are called to live in constant faithfulness, waiting patiently for the fulfillment of God's promises. Just as Anna recognized the first coming of Jesus, we, too, are called to proclaim His second coming. Our work is not finished; we are still waiting for the return of Christ, and in the meantime, we continue to share His message with those around us.

As we wait, we are called to be active in our faith, sharing the good news and living in obedience, just as Anna ,Simeon, Mary, and Joseph did. While we wait for Christ's return, we, like them, have the responsibility to proclaim His truth to the world, knowing that our devotion and obedience will prepare us for that glorious day.

Revelation 21:4 We are patiently wiating.… when...

" God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall mourning nor crying nor pain be any more, for the former things have passed away." This verse speaks to the hope of a new heaven and earth, where suffering and death are no more, signifying the ultimate redemption and restoration promised by Christ's return

In this "in-between" time, we are called to proclaim His name, character, and the hope of His return, living with the assurance that what we experience now is only a glimpse of the eternal peace and joy that will come when He restores all things. Our task is to faithfully follow His leading and speak His words, pointing others to the full redemption He promises.

Conclusion

I want to leave you with this thought: God can use simple obedience to change a life forever. A faith-driven response to Gods direction can look like being where He leads, doing what He asks, and speaking the words He gives us.

Let us go into a moment of prayer keeping Simeon’s, Anna’s, Joseph’s, and Mary’s example—ordinary people who patiently waited on the Lord and, in the moment of God’s perfect timing, were able to experience the fulfillment of God’s promise. May we, too, be a people who live in hope, trust, and obedience to God’s voice.