INTRODUCTION

The Lenten season, from Ash Wednesday to Resurrection Sunday, is a time for reflection on God’s great love for us and God’s great call on us to faithful and liberating discipleship. For years, the Historic Black Methodist Churches have used this time to share a daily devotional to serve as a resource for spiritual practice during the season, first under the auspices of the Consultation on Church Union (COCU) and then continuing to organize as a joint labor of love of the Christian Education Departments of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

This year’s theme is Costly Sacrifice which focuses our attention and meditation on the great and ultimate sacrifice the Risen Christ was and is. The scripture passages were selected from the Home Daily Bible Readings published by the Committee on Uniform Series (CUS) of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. CUS has promoted an ecumenical approach to the study and teaching of God’s word since 1872.

It has been an honor to serve as this year’s editor. Special thanks to all the meditation contributors and to my colleagues, Rev. Patrick Barrett II, General Secretary-Treasurer for the AMEZ Church Christian Education Department, Dr. Carmichael D. Crutchfield, General Secretary for the CME Church Christian Education Department, Rev. Gwendolyn Peters and Dr. Willa Ross, meditation coordinators for the AMEZ and CME contributions respectively.

Still, an urgency remains in this present moment politically, culturally, and even spiritually. Violence and intolerance seem to rule the day. Yet God calls us to a justice-seeking faith that shows compassion for the other and bears witness to the saving, liberating, and reconciling power of Jesus for the lost. Our prayer is that these 2025 daily meditations may help us all examine ourselves as we seek and work to follow daily our Crucified and Risen Savior, partnering in the crucial work of liberation, unity, and reconciliation as he so calls and leads.

Garland F. Pierce

FREE EXCERPTS

I NEED YOUR GLORY

Ezekiel 43:1-12

the spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the Lord filled the temple. Ezekiel 43:5

Ezekiel saw the presence of God leave Judah (Ezekiel 10:18) because of their sin and returned to the temple (Ezekiel 43:1-5) because of God’s mercy. Praise the Lord, the Glory returned!

Ezekiel was a priest and prophet with whom God spoke about the temple’s destruction and restoration as well as God’s plan for God’s land and people. Without the glory of God, the temple is just another building. The presence of God releases the God’s glory which is God’s power, dignity, and strength!

Ezekiel is so overwhelmed by God’s glory that he falls on his face in reverence and awe, revealing that the proper response to experiencing God is authentic worship. The Lord lets Ezekiel know that the temple and the mountain that it sits on are to be holy and that the people are to be holy. Holiness is required to experience the glory of God. The place is important to God; the posture of God’s people is even more important.

This Lenten season, let us be intentional about committed and consistent time in God’s presence. Give in to the draw of the Holy Spirit and return to the sanctuary with regular church attendance. Enjoy the release and restoration that come from authentic worship. Commit to a dedicated daily prayer time and consistent study of the Word of God. Turn away from the busyness or distractions that keep you from quiet time with God. Create the space, time, and intentionality to meet with God. God wants to dwell with us and will remove any idol, sin, or distraction that keeps us from God!

Let God dwell with you AGAIN!

PRAYER: God, I long for a deeper connection with you. Help me to walk away from busyness and distractions and help me to prioritize spending time with you. Draw me nearer, precious Lord, that I may live in your presence. I need your Glory! In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Rev. Tyronda Howse Burgess serves as the General Secretary/Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first woman to hold this office in the denomination’s history.

THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

Ezekiel 44:15-27

But the Levitical priests, the descendants of Zadok, who kept the charge of my sanctuary when the people of Israel went astray from me, shall come near to me to minister to me, and they shall attend me to offer me the fat and the blood, says the Lord God. It is they who shall enter my sanctuary; it is they who shall approach my table, to minister to me, and they shall keep my charge. Ezekiel 44:15-16

In Ezekiel 44:15-16, we witness the dedication of the sons of Zadok, who were called to uphold holiness and serve God faithfully amidst adversity. Their commitment required costly sacrifices, both personally and collectively, as they led worship and maintained the sanctity of the temple.

As we reflect on these verses during Lent, we are prompted to consider the sacrifices we are called to make in our own lives. Just as the priests were set apart for a divine purpose, we too are invited to pursue a closer relationship with God, often at the expense of our comfort and desires.

In this season, let us remember the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, whose love and commitment to humanity exemplify the meaning of true sacrifice. What are we willing to give up for the sake of our faith?

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us recognize the sacrifices we can make to draw closer to you and serve others. May our lives reflect your love and dedication. AMEN

Mr. Quantae Walker is a lifelong member of Lee’s Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church where he serves as Preacher’s Steward and Director of Christian Education.

THE DISTRACTIONS

John 2:12-22

Making a whip of cords, he drove all of them out of the temple. John 2:15

What’s at stake when Jesus drives them out? Distractions! The priestly enterprise for sacrificing facilitates the atonement for the believer and (re)connects human and divine spiritually. It is hard to tell how this sacred moment is infiltrated with carnal priorities. It is believed that when the practitioners began bringing sacrifices from far and wide, it was noticed that it was significantly harder for those who came from further distances to travel with their sacrifice. In the classic manner of human ingenuity, technology offers simplicity for the complexity of logistics. It was then possible for the believer to travel to the temple and buy the needed sacrifice upon arriving at the sacred space. Why would Jesus be against a solution that solves a real problem? New solutions that are created, the distractions, are what leads our Lord to disrupt this enterprise. With the ease of purchasing sacrificial offerings, one’s new focus of travel creates opportunity for other stops that make the journey to the temple discretionary. Think about all the technological advances that we enjoy today. With the smart phone at our disposal, how many contacts do you know by memory? With convenience, the enterprise becomes the focus rather than the sacrifice bringing the desired connection to God. Jesus disrupts the enterprise because the enterprise has disrupted the purpose of the sacrifice – grace through the sacrifice connects meaning through the struggle. The journey to the House of Prayer cannot be replaced by the journey to the on-demand market.

PRAYER: Lord, we wish to return to your purpose by not being distracted by the ease of the world. Help us to refocus on you as the source of our salvation. AMEN

Rev. Ermanno A. Willis currently serves as the pastor of Temple of Love CME Church in Memphis TN.

EACH PERSON AND EACH ACT IS VALUED

John 4:13-26

The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.” John 4:15

What an appropriate scripture passage for the International Day of the Woman! There is so much involved in this brief encounter between Jesus and a Samaritan woman at the well. We are reminded that Jesus sees and accepts each of us for who and what we truly are, despite the labels placed on us by society. He is kind to us; and he loves each of us unconditionally. We are comforted in his presence. Despite the various things we may pursue in life, we eventually learn that Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment for whatever we are seeking. Once we have truly encountered him, we are motivated and compelled to go and tell others about him, and to live out our God-given purpose.

PRAYER: Almighty, awesome, generous, kind, and loving God, we thank you for creating women, and for all that they represent and accomplish. We acknowledge that women hold up half of the sky, and for that we are happy. We thank you for the many roles women play throughout the world. We thank you for your provision, protection as well as your power, wisdom, love, and forgiveness. Your joy, hope, and favor sustain us all. The gifts and talents that you have given to women, as well as to men, help to sustain us in every situation. We thank you for your unconditional love and acceptance. Your blessings are abundant to those of us who choose to believe in you and who accept you as our Savior. Thank you for being the Living Water that quenches our thirst. Thank you for your grace and mercy that follow us. In Jesus’ name we pray, AMEN

Rev. Joanne Williams Cooper, MD, MPH is the Supervisor of Missions for the 18th Episcopal District of the AME Church. She has worked with the women’s ministry at her local church for over twenty years.

A SPACE FOR GOD

Exodus 25:1-9; 26:1, 31-37

The Lord said to Moses, Tell the Israelites to take for me an offering; from all whose hearts prompt them to give you shall receive the offering for me. Exodus 25:1-2

God makes it clear that he desires to dwell among us. However, for God’s holy presence to abide, specific conditions must be met.

As the sovereign Creator, God is the ultimate designer. Every idea of beauty, order, and structure originates with God. Think about how we carefully plan our homes—choosing everything from the type of door to the curtains in the living room. From where does that instinct come? It comes from God. In Exodus, God communicates precise details about the tabernacle, God’s dwelling place. In the same way, God has given us a pattern for our spiritual lives.

God’s instructions are not suggestions. Just as God expected Israel to build according to his exact blueprint, God calls us to follow his divine pattern. There are no exceptions, no modifications, and no personal interpretations—only obedience. God has declared, “Be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44). God expects us to obey what he has communicated and outlined for our lives which is found in God’s Holy Word.

As we ponder the information God communicates to us, the question remains: Will we obey down to the last detail? Will we allow our lives—the living tabernacle of Christ—to reflect God’s holiness, following the pattern God has set? We have a unique opportunity to have the Eternal God, the Rock of Ages, the King of Kings dwelling within us.

PRAYER: Father, thank you for desiring to dwell among us. Help us to hear, obey, and faithfully replicate the pattern you have given for our lives. May we be led by your Spirit, living as holy vessels for your presence. AMEN

Rev. Butler B’ynote’ is a retired NFL player who has transitioned into ministry. He is the lead pastor at Samuel Brown Temple AME Zion Church, located in St. Louis, Missouri.

TIME TO GROW UP

Hebrews 5

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food. Hebrews 5:12

Have you ever felt stuck in the same cycle—like you are not growing the way you should? This may be in your faith, your relationships, or even in life. You keep circling the same struggles without making real progress. Hebrews 5 speaks directly to this, challenging us to move beyond spiritual infancy and into maturity.

This chapter reminds us that Jesus, even though he was the Son of God, learned obedience through suffering. If Jesus himself had to go through hardship to fulfill his purpose, why do we expect growth to come easy for us? The truth is, spiritual growth happens when we stretch ourselves—when we pray even when we do not feel like it, when we choose faith over fear, and when we step out of our comfort zones to live like Christ.

Verses 12-14 gives us a wake-up call!

We can’t keep living off the same “milk”—just surface-level Christianity or secondhand faith. It’s time to go deeper. That means spending intentional time in God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with people who push us toward Christ, and applying what we learn to real life. Growth isn’t automatic—it’s a choice.

PRAYER: God, I don’t want to stay stuck in the same place. Help me grow into the person you’ve called me to be. Give me the discipline to dig deeper into your word, the strength to obey even when it’s hard, and the wisdom to make choices that reflect your love. I’m ready to grow up in my faith. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Ms. Jamea Sevel Grace is a lifelong member of the 7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She currently serves as the President of the Connectional Young Adult Ministry.

AT THE THRESHOLD OF UNITY

Leviticus 8:1-13

and assemble the whole congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting. Leviticus 8:3

Moses gathers the congregation at the entrance of the tent of meeting. The slight mention of the entrance helps us to understand that there is a symbolic and spiritual boundary of this sacred space (God’s holy presence) from the world.

Moses performed a sacred ritual of cleansing, anointing, and clothing Aaron for service to the Lord. This ritual reminds us of the journey of being liberated from the world’s troubles and anxieties. As Moses’ helper, Aaron was now being positioned to bring unity and liberation to the congregation and the world. What a costly sacrifice this was to give up all his plans, dreams, and goals to be of service to God’s people! Aaron was prepared to sacrifice his personal ambitions.

The people were there at the threshold to bear witness. Think about how we limit God in our lives because we are too afraid to cross the threshold to begin a new journey of discovering God. This point in Aaron’s life is an important transition from the common life into God’s consecrated service. During this Lenten season, rest assured that sacred moments like these can unite others just by your example and commitment to God. In this time with God, are you willing to be the bridge over the threshold leading others toward a unified community with God in hopes of dismantling division and injustice in the world? Aaron was not only willing, but he also sacrificed it all for the people he was called to serve.

PRAYER: God, help us have courage to cross over into the sacred spaces of your heart. Allow us to sacrifice all to be a bridge toward liberation. AMEN.

Rev. La Tonja Ellis serves as the first female pastor at Grant AME Church Chicago and as the districtwide Christian Education Director in the Fourth District within the AME Church.

I’M WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE!

Leviticus 8:14-23

Then he brought the second ram, the ram of ordination. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram, and it was slaughtered. Moses took some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron’s right ear and on the thumb of his right hand and on the big toe of his right foot. Leviticus 8:22-23

Lent is a season of reflection, repentance, and renewal. It’s more than just giving up small comforts. It’s about surrendering our hearts to God. Real sacrifice costs something! In Leviticus 8, before Aaron and his sons could serve as priests, a price had to be paid: a bull for the sin offering because sin must be dealt with, a ram for the burnt offering because full surrender is required and a ram for ordination because consecration demands a cost.

Then Moses took blood and placed it on Aaron’s ear, thumb, and toe, symbolizing total dedication to God: Ears to hear God’s voice above all others, hands to do God’s work, and feet to walk in God’s ways. This was just a shadow of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Great High Priest! Unlike the Old Testament offerings, Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed his blood once and for all. His ears heard the mockery of humans. His hands were nailed to a cross. His feet were pierced for our sins. Because he paid the price, we are set apart!

What is God calling you to surrender this season? Is it a habit, a fear, or bitterness? Lay it at his feet because when you give something up for God, God fills the empty place with something greater! What is God asking you to lay down so you may draw closer to God? Somebody say, “Lord, I’m willing to pay the price!”

PRAYER: Father, during this Lenten season, help us to surrender fully to you. Thank you for the costly sacrifice of Jesus. May we walk in obedience, love, and holiness. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.

Rev. William T. DeArmond Jr., a devoted husband, father, pastor, and chaplain, serves faithfully in ministry, emphasizing commitment to faith, service, and spiritual leadership.