The Bible records the oldest spiritual practices and holidays on earth, going back to the very dawn of time itself. Some of these are no longer in practice and others have changed and morphed over time, but all of them demonstrate core ideas that can be reapplied today for healthy spiritual living. Rediscover some of these (really) old practices and how they can be reinterpreted for your modern life.
Sacrifices
The History: The very first, and therefore oldest, spiritual practice listed in the Bible is sacrifice. The concept is simple: You take an animal and offer it to God. Various ways of killing, butchering or offering the animal are often prescribed. None of the world’s major religions still practice this, for various reasons. However, Christianity does actively commemorate its final and greatest sacrifice (that of Jesus) through what it calls Communion or the Eucharist.
The Meaning: Sacrifices had two main effects. First, participants could reconnect with God by covering over and seeking forgiveness for their past wrongs and sins. And second, sacrifices were done in community with other believers, often at the temple with a priest, your family and/or larger community. This helped a person reconnect with fellow believers.
The Reinterpretation: Though animal sacrifice is no longer practiced, there are other ways to “sacrifice” that can help you reconnect with God and others. In the ancient world, your animals were your food source and your business. It was a costly thing to sacrifice one of those animals. Many followers of Jesus find sacrificing time or money to be a decent analog for the modern world. Volunteer your time and/or money to a local outreach, ministry or church and you will discover that there is something reinvigorating about being a part of God’s work. Just remember that God will not forgive your sins in the exchange (He gives forgiveness away for free).
Fasting
The History: The word may not be familiar to some, but the practice is as old as time. Fasting is when you give up (for a time) the things that feed your physical body in order to focus on the things that feed your spiritual body. The Bible prescribes certain times or ways of doing this, but also gives people some freedom to design their own “fast.”
The Meaning: There is nothing magical about fasting. Doing this does not obligate God to give you anything in particular or somehow port your soul closer to heaven. Rather, it is a practice that helps clear your schedule (eating takes time) and your mind so you can focus on the non-material side of you.
The Reinterpretation: The ancients had no grocery stores, so food preparation was an all-day thing. Therefore, fasting had a way of really clearing up the schedule. Modern life has microwaves and take-out. Giving up food may still be a helpful way of fasting but there may be more effective ways to clear your schedule. Consider giving up your phone, social media or your evening binge-watching as a modern fast. Then, (and this is vital) fill that time with things that feed your soul. Go for a walk and pray. Read your Bible. Just sit quietly and meditate on who God is.
Feast of the Tabernacles
(Or “tents” or “booths,” depending on how you translate it)
The History: In the early part of the Bible, God’s people were instructed to go on what we might call an annual camping trip. They had to walk to Jerusalem and construct temporary shelters. Then they were to eat and celebrate.
The Meaning: The idea of this festival was to create an environment that helped remind the people of all the things that God had given them. There was something about getting away from home and the usual routines.
The Reinterpretation: Many followers of Jesus find camping to have a similar effect. Getting out into nature can make one appreciate the beauty of what God has made. You can do this even if you are not pitching a tent outside of Jerusalem. You may also get a sense of this by just grilling out in your backyard. Try inviting people over for a barbeque celebration. When people ask you what you are celebrating, you can tell them about some of the things you are thankful for and ask them to do the same.
Sabbath
The History: The word is Hebrew for the number “seven,” referencing the seventh day of the week. In fact, it was the Jewish people who helped create the seven-day week for the rest of us. Traditionally, people would work six days each week and then on the seventh day they would rest. Christians added another day of rest when they began to also celebrate the first day of the week as the day that Jesus rose from the dead.
The Meaning: While there are many traditions that were layered over this day through history, the original idea is simple: People need to rest. In the beginning, God actually commanded that his people rest. Today, he allows us the freedom to choose when we rest.
The Reinterpretation: Find a spot once each week to do nothing of worldly importance. This can be a Saturday, a Sunday or any other day of the week. This is a good day to do take-out or to pull a meal from the freezer, so even your domestic responsibilities are kept at a minimum. Just focus on your relationships on this day. Make some extra time for God, your family and your friends. You will find something as simple as rest can really boost your spiritual health.