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But a still greater temptation than this arose to try Him to the utmost.  He found Himself brought face to face with the idea of Messiahship, and Kingship of the Jews, of which we spoke.  Was He the Messiah?  And if so, what must be His course of life and action?  Was He destined to throw aside the robe and staff of the ascetic, and to don the royal purple and the sceptre?  Was He to forsake the role of the spiritual guide and teacher, and to become the King and Ruler over the people of Israel?  These were the questions He asked His soul, and for which He demanded an answer.

And the mystic legends tell us that His Spirit answered by showing Him two sets of mental pictures, with the assurance that He could choose either, at will, and cause it to become realized.

The first picture showed Him true to His spiritual instincts, and loyal to His mission, but which rendered Him indeed the “Man of Sorrows.”  He saw himself continuing to sow the seeds of Truth, which would, centuries after, spring up, blossom and bear fruit to nourish the world, but which would now bring down upon His head the hatred and persecution of those in power and authority.  And He saw each successive step, each showing the approach of the end, until at last He saw Himself crowned with thorns and meeting the death of a criminal on the cross, between two base criminals of the lowest classes of men.  All this He saw and even His brave heart felt a deadly sickness at the ignominious end of it all—­the apparent failure of His earthly mission.  But it is related that some of the mighty intelligences which dwell upon the higher planes of existence, gathered around Him, and gave Him words of encouragement and hope and resolve.  He found Himself literally in the midst of the Heavenly Host, and receiving the inspiration of its presence.

Then this picture—­and the Host of Invisible Helpers—­faded away, and the second picture began to appear before the vision of the lonely dweller of the Wilderness.  He saw the picture of Himself descending the mountain, and announcing Himself as the Messiah—­the King of the Jews—­who had come to lead His Chosen People to victory and deliverance.  He saw Himself acclaimed as the Promised One of Israel, and the multitude flocking to His banners.  He saw Himself at the head of a great conquering army, marching toward Jerusalem.  He saw Himself making use of His highly developed occult powers to read the minds of the enemy and thus know their every movement and intention, and the means to overcome them.  He saw Himself miraculously arming and feeding His hosts of battle.  He saw Himself smiting the enemy with His occult powers and forces.  He saw the yoke of Rome being cast off, and its phalanxes fleeing across the borders in terror and disgraceful defeat.  He saw Himself mounting the throne of David, His forefather.  He saw Himself instituting a reign of the highest type, which would make of Israel the leading nation