In the temple hear the shouts,
“Buy what you need from me
If you’re angry, if you’re hurt
Revenge is worth the fee
Worried? Buy some panic
If you’re sad, I’ve got a vice
You’ve sinned? Purchase guilt
Need some meaning? Take your time!”

This place is very busy
So chaotic, crowded, loud
Sellers hawk their pricey wares
So confident and proud
But something isn’t right here
It’s the merchants in this place
They’re staying in the shadows
Each trying to hide their face

I See the King of Light arrive
He can help me see
He looks my way, I call out
And now He stands with Me
“Have you seen the merchants here?
They seem a shifty kind”
“I see” He says, “they need to go
Before they steal you blind”

Walking in the temple
Now illumined by His light
Slowly shadows start to fade
Clearing blurry sight
As my vision sharpens
Truth starts to unfold
It’s lousy imitations
In the temple being sold

“I’ve been robbed! I’ve been cheated!
The prices, far too high!
How dare they do this to me!
It was wrong for them to lie!
Punish them, your Majesty!
You should make them pay!
It’s fiery wrath that they deserve!
Don’t let them get away!”

But He stood there very quiet
And I started feeling weak
He was looking deep within me
I didn’t dare to speak
I saw with clearer vision now
And felt myself undone
For standing there before me was
A King and Lion in One.

He said “I’ve things to show you
If you have a will to see.
But you will need me, child
To illuminate the scene”
“Yes Lord, I am willing
But you see I’m very scared.”
“I know, but I’ll be with you
Take my hand, I’ll lead you there”

As we walked together there
His light began to glow
Showing every detail
Things I didn’t want to know
Standing in His brightness
And shielding both my eyes
What His light unfolded
Left me speechless, horrified.

I viewed the scene before me
In shock and unbelief
Salty tears began to fall
My heart was gripped by grief
For what His holy light revealed
What now my eyes could see
Was every single Merchant there
Selling lies, was me

Embarrassed now and so ashamed
I stared down at my feet
The truth was out, I’d fooled myself
I, was my own thief
Swimming now in sorrow
Tears streaming down my face
Is when I felt it happen
He was pouring out His grace.

When I dared to look at Him,
This Lion King in One,
His glowing light began to grow
Something like the sun
He was reaching out to me
A scar was in His hand
It’s then I saw through teary eyes
A third one now, A Lamb.

Together they all went to work,
Or was it only He?
The King in charge was full of power
The Lamb stood over me
While I was safe, but still unsure
Laying on the floor
The ground beneath began to shake
As the mighty Lion roared.

I quaked in awe at things I saw
Space filling with his might
His unleashed holy clearing power
Was setting things to right
Each Merchant there, or was it me?
Met with the Lion great
Eye to eye the King and I
His breath upon my face

Liony breath blew back my hair
A rushing windy storm
Merchant defying; I, in awe
Yet we were one in form
Without a sound He spoke to me
Surrender now your life?
My Merchant knees with rebel resolve,
Stiffened for a fight.

Nose to nose the mighty Lion
Roared a thundering cry
Yet in that thunderous powerful roar
I heard a kingly sigh.
Then with ruling, righteous roars
The Lion made His move
And at each shifty sellers booth
Authority He proved

Tossing His mane and sounding a roar
The Merchants start to fall
One by one, their selling done
Banished, one and all.
“They’ll try to get back in” He said
“They’ll want to set up shop.
Watch the door and if they try
You’ll have to tell them, STOP!”

I noticed then, with sorrow great
The Lamb was lying dead
There was no life or breath in Him
My heart was filled with dread
This Lamb, now slain, had saved me
When the mighty Lion’s roars
Where banishing the Merchants
From the sacred temple floor

I knelt beside the loving Lamb
And fell upon His wool
I sobbed out all my gratitude
For saving me, a fool
Protecting me the Lamb had died
For my unworthy soul
He gave his very life for me
He paid a deathly toll

On his silent heart I wept
Until a sudden sound
A pounding in His wooly breast!
He wouldn’t be kept down!
The King in His authority
Ordained that He would rise
And what He says, is what will be
So don’t believe the lies.

Now you know my story
And why I love The ONE!
He saved me from sure punishment
And over death has won!
Because He lives, now I do too
I will forevermore
And I can’t wait to hear again
The Mighty Lion’s roar!

Unpublished work © 2012 Lori Visser