Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution. André Trocmé

from among the sons of Abraham.

      Jesus considered the rich who did not redistribute their capital as lost. When referring to the rich young ruler, Jesus said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” and the disciples cried out, “Who then can be saved?” Indeed, the rich young ruler had refused to sell his possessions and return them to the poor. He had received the command as the disciples had – to put the Jubilee into practice – but he had not obeyed. Despite Jesus’ sympathy for him, he could not be one of his disciples (Luke 18:18–30).

      The contrast between the bitter sorrow of the rich young ruler and the joy of the apostles, who had responded to Jesus’ call by leaving behind all that they had, is indeed striking. It was, in fact, after the rich man’s departure that Peter exclaimed, “We have left all we had to follow you!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life” (Luke 18:28–30).