ESOCS Devotional 25 April 2026: I Know That My Redeemer Lives

ESOCS Devotional 24 April 2026 – I Know That My Redeemer Lives

MEMORY VERSE: “”Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.”. John 20:1 NIV

TEXT: JOHN 20:1-10

“Now the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ² Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

³ Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb. ⁴ So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. ⁵ And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, ⁷ and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself. ⁸ Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed. ⁹ For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead. ¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.

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“While it was still dark…” Such a powerful phrase. It speaks not only of the physical time of day, but also of the emotional and spiritual condition of Mary Magdalene’s heart. Jesus had been crucified. Hope seemed lost. The world felt dark.

Yet, despite the sorrow, Mary went to the tomb; she moved toward Jesus, even in the dark. What she found was not what she expected. The stone was rolled away, and light was beginning to dawn, not just in the sky, but in her soul.

This moment reminds us that God is already at work, even while it’s still dark. Before Mary saw the risen Christ, before she understood the miracle, God had already moved. Resurrection had already begun.

You may be walking through your own “dark morning,” a season of confusion, grief, waiting, or silence. But take heart: God moves in the dark. He works in silence. He rolls stones away before the sun rises. All He asks is that you keep seeking Him.

Reflections

1. What “dark” season or situation are you currently walking through?
2. Are you still seeking Jesus in the middle of it, like Mary did? Why or why not?
3. How does this verse encourage you to trust that God is already moving behind the scenes?
4. What truths from Scripture can you hold onto to strengthen your hope while it’s still dark?

Action Step

Spend a few quiet moments this morning or evening in prayer, even if you’re feeling weary or unsure. Write down one area of life that feels dark or uncertain, and then write beneath it: “God is working, even in this.” Ask the Lord to help you see glimpses of His presence and to trust His timing for resurrection and breakthrough.

Prayer: 

• Lord, thank you that you are at work even when I cannot see it.
• Help me to seek you faithfully, even in the dark moments of life.
• Just as you met Mary that morning, meet me with your presence and renew my hope.
• I believe that the stone is already being rolled away, even when it still feels like night, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Further Reading: Isaiah 64:1-End; 26:1-9; Ephesians 1:1-14

ESOCS Devotional 25 April 2026