Jesus got frustrated a couple of times for different reasons. The hypocrisy of the Pharisees was a sore point for Him. Closer to home, the unbelief of His disciples also brought Him some frustration. Our text captured one instance that irked Him. He had warned the disciples to be wary of the leaven of the Pharisees. They interpreted that to mean physical bread of which they had none on that occasion. Jesus roundly condemned their unbelief. Two things made their unbelief quite worrisome. A chapter before this account, a woman of Canaan came and had obtained healing for her daughter through faith. That was faith demonstrated from an unlikely quarter. So impressed was Jesus with this woman that He said, “O woman, great is your faith” (Matthew 15:28). If a stranger could believe Him that much, Jesus expected those who ate and slept with Him to do better. On another note, Jesus had performed the miracle of multiplying bread on two previous occasions in the presence of His disciples. He expected that bread should not be their headache anymore. They proved Him wrong.

Contempt can cancel out what a God-sent vessel has to offer.

We anchored the meditation of yesterday on the need to ask questions of those who lead us. Here is the other side of the deal. The moment we are certain of the call of God on any life, and sure of the sincerity of their heart, we must believe them. The disciples seemed to have become too familiar with the Master that they were having trouble believing Him. We must avoid undue familiarity that could breed contempt for the anointing on a life. Contempt can cancel out what a God-sent vessel has to offer.