Pastor Jared Richard began this Palm Sunday message by asking the crucial question: "Why does the story of Jesus lead to a cross?" To answer this, he took the congregation back to Exodus 12 and the night of the Passover in Egypt. He explained how God's judgment was coming upon all of Egypt, including the Israelites, because when the holy God comes personally to judge, everyone stands condemned. However, God provided a way of escape through the blood of a spotless lamb applied to the doorposts of Hebrew homes. When God saw the blood, He would pass over that household, sparing the firstborn because the lamb had died as a substitute. Pastor Richard connected this directly to the Gospel, declaring that Jesus is the true Passover lamb whose blood covers believers from God's judgment. Just as there were only two kinds of houses in Egypt that night—those Marked by blood and those that weren't—when God comes in final judgment, only the blood will matter. But the blood doesn't just cover us; it claims us. Those saved by Christ's blood belong entirely to God and should live lives that reflect this ownership. Pastor Richard challenged the congregation to examine whether their homes, families, and lives look like they belong to God, emphasizing that believers are not just saved from judgment but saved for God's glory. WE'D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card here: https://www.bayleaf.org/connect We hope you enjoy this programming and please let us know if there is anything we can do to be of service to you. ONE CHURCH. TWO LOCATIONS. ONE MISSION. Bay Leaf at Falls Lake: 12200 Bayleaf Church Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27614 Bay Leaf at 540: 10921 Leesville Rd, Raleigh, NC 27613 SERVICE TIMES Come join us on Sundays at Bay Leaf at Falls Lake (8:30 AM or 11:00 AM) or at Bay Leaf at 540 (10:00 AM) CONTACT www.bayleaf.org (919) 847-4477 #BayLeafLife #Worship #Inspiration