Jesus, the Suffering Servant vs the Cynicism and Skepticism of the World

January 12, 2026

In a world drowning in doubt, Isaiah’s portrait of the Suffering Servant stands as a beacon of unshakeable truth. Seven hundred years before Jesus was born, God revealed to the prophet Isaiah that there would be signs so the people would know who the Messiah was. Isaiah 42:1-2 whispers, “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will bring justice to the nations. He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.” Isaiah 49:6 declares the Messiah will be a light for the Gentiles and spread salvation to the ends of the earth. Isaiah 50:6-7 foretells the Messiah will experience humiliation and abuse. And Isaiah 53:5-7 pierces that the Messiah would be “pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.”

A skeptical world looks at all of these and and more than a hundred other Old Testament prophecies and declares, “It is just coincidence.” The science of statistics says it is statically impossible for one man to fulfill just eight such prophecies, at least without the mighty hand of God at work, and having foreordained it centuries before Jesus’ birth.

These prophecies, fulfilled in Jesus, clash with modern cynicism that dismisses Scripture as myth. The Westar Institute, heirs to the 1990s Jesus Seminar, continues this skeptical tradition. They have concluded that miracles like the resurrection are symbolic or visionary, not historical facts. They aim to “rescue” the Bible from fundamentalism, emphasizing human authorship over divine inspiration. The Freedom From Religion Foundation is committed to trying to free people from reliance on the authority of scripture. They argue that the Bible is a human document riddled with contradictions and outdated morals, promoting atheism and freethought through billboards, lawsuits and publications. The Secular Coalition for America denies the Bible’s divine authority, viewing it as mythology, and pushing for education reforms that treat Scripture as literature rather than truth.

Skepticism isn’t new. Until the 18th century, the Church universally accepted Scripture’s authority. Then, Enlightenment naturalism elevated human reason, science and knowledge as final arbiters. Attacks began, demanding Bible “reconcile” with “new learning” in biology and geology. Universities started rejecting the Bible, and their religious roots, and started rewarding skepticism. Since World War II, skepticism and cynicism have come to dominate academia, entertainment, business/industry and government.

When we look at the words of Jesus, it is clear He affirmed what we call the Old Testament Scriptures. A key example is in Matthew 19:4-6 (NIV): “‘Haven’t you read,’ he replied, ‘that at the beginning the Creator “made them male and female,” and said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh”? So, they are no longer two, but one flesh.’” Here, Jesus quotes Genesis 1:27 and 2:24, confirming God as Creator from “the beginning.”

Cynics strip Jesus of divinity, reducing Him to a good teacher. But Isaiah’s Servant suffers willingly, bearing sins silently, and fulfills prophecies no mere sage fulfills. Jesus’ miracles, teachings, and resurrection aren’t fables. They are history, attested by eyewitnesses who were willing to die for their faith.

The skeptics assertions have led to a world of moral relativism, cheapening of human life, depression, anxiety and death for a growing number of people who believe life has no meaning. Jesus continues to offer transformation, hope and eternal salvation.

Last week, I challenged us to make this the year of the Bible. With that declaration, I encourage you not to defend Scripture, but to assert authority. In a skeptical age, live its truths: Forgive as the Servant forgave, love as He loved, trust His ways above ours. Against cynicism, the Suffering Servant triumphs, offering salvation science can’t explain.

How has skepticism challenged your view of Scripture? What keeps you affirming its authority? Which Isaiah prophecy about the Servant most moves you? How does it counter modern doubts? What step will you take this week to assert Scripture’s truth in your life or conversations? When we live knowing the Bible is true, there is a power in our lives that glorifies God. Choose to glorify God with your life. (To learn more about Al Earley or read previous articles, see www.lagrangepres.org. You can purchase my book, My Faith Journal, at Amazon.com, a compilation of 366 articles as a daily devotional. Check out my podcast on YouTube, called “My Faith Journey”).