Oh, the Joy of My Salvation, Ronald Jay Diamond

Born and raised in a Jewish family, it was tradition to attend Temple services on the Jewish holidays. However my Hanukkah experience of 1976 was soon to be etched forever in the eternal book of Life.

I am the middle of three boys who grew up in a Boston suburb. Though we grew up together we were all quite different in terms of our abilities. My older brother possessed marvelous oratorical skills, whereas I fought a stuttering problem. I, on the other hand was more athletically inclined, playing second singles on my high school's varsity tennis team, and developing musical skills playing both clarinet and saxophone. Much of our early childhood, however, found us at odds with each other.

My older brother having returned from a private school for a visit, explained to me how he met Jesus. My cursory interest was exclusively a curiosity concerning the power that changed his life. He had by that time developed a severe dependency on drugs which was leading him towards an early death. Enthusiastically however, he explained to me the plan of redemption and how Jesus saved him from a life of debauchery and substance abuse. While I was unimpressed to this point, my high school music buddy and best friend unexpectedly dropped by. My brother continued to speak about Jesus to both of us. Then the moment of the Lord's mercy arrived as my best friend confessed that he too had met Jesus during Army boot camp. I sat stunned. I knew my brother needed Jesus because of his terrible life. But not me. I lived, in my own eyes, a much higher, more fulfilling life, and therefore would have no need of a “crutch”. But my best friend was just like me, sharing the same interests and abilities. Why did he need Jesus? I could not believe my ears.

It was at this moment the dear Lord Jesus cracked open my heart, reaching in to gain a foothold. My brother continued his speaking, encouraging me to talk to the Lord Jesus and say, “God if you are real, make yourself real to me. Prove yourself.” He helped me to understand the glorious logic of giving the Lord a chance. He said I had nothing to lose and everything to gain. If I prayed and God didn't respond, I would lose nothing. However if I prayed and He responded within, I would gain and enjoy God within. What a bargain! That night I asked the Lord to prove Himself to me.

The next morning my father, younger brother, and myself attended the Hanukkah service. It was there, sitting in the synagogue, that I experienced Jesus Christ. During the service the rabbi opened the ark revealing the brightly decorated Torah. At this moment as I gazed upon the Torah I felt God's hand upon my head and a kind of “buzzing” throughout my body. Then tears of joy began streaming down my cheeks as I sat overwhelmed with the love of God. I abruptly left the service and went to the Hebrew School section of the Temple and there, for approximately 40 minutes, praised the Lord Jesus as my Savior. I recall as vividly as yesterday my arms flailing away as I praised the name of the Lord. The tears continued to flow and joy flooded my heart.

I was bursting with joy and sought a means of release. Then finding a pen in my pocket I wrote on a bulletin board in the hallway. There on the board, next to many drawings made by Hebrew School children I wrote in large letters: I, Ron Diamond, have met Jesus Christ December 23, 1976! Oh, the joy of my salvation!