A Third Way for Jekyll

This past couple of weeks I have been plodding my way through Keller's The Reason for God, and it has been very helpful on a variety of levels. However, the sine qua non of Keller's stuff is his insight into the depravity of our own righteousness. Particularly clear on the matter is his exposition of this quote from Robert Louis Stevenson's The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde,

I resolved in my future conduct to redeem the past; and I can say with honesty that my resolve was fruitful of some good. You know how earnestly, in the last months of the last year, I labored to relieve suffering; you know that much was done for others....[But as] I smiled, comparing myself with other men, comparing my active goodwill with the lazy cruelty of their neglect...at the very moment of that vain-glorious thought, a qualm came over ma, a horrid nausea and the most dreadful shuddering....I looked down...I was once more Edward Hyde.

Keller goes on to explain "Like so many people Jekyll knows he is a sinner, so he tries desperately to cover his sin with great piles of good works. Yet his efforts do not actually shrivel his pride and self-centeredness, they only aggravate it. They lead him to superiority, self-righteousness, pride and suddenly -- look! Jekyll becomes Hyde, not in spite of his goodness, but because of his goodness." (p. 182-3)

Those who know the story know that Dr. Jekyll despairs and takes his own life when he comes to the horrifyingly insightful realization that his attempts to atone for his sins merely fuel the fire. But there is another way, a miraculous way that would have healed the sickness inside of Jekyll. In Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus makes the Jekyll in all of us an over that would have stopped the tragic end to that story. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (ESV)

I plead with you who do not know the Savior, Unload!