Great Commission Blues Matt 28:18-20

(Outro - Spoken or sung softly over a fading guitar riff)
"Now listen, friend, these hard times ain't the end,
Jesus got all authority, he’s callin’ you to mend.
Go out, share his love, lift a soul from the dust,
Make disciples, spread the word, in his promise we trust."
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(Verse 1 - Spoken intro like an old field holler, then into 12-bar blues)
Oh Lord, in these hard times, dust blowin' 'cross the plain,
I hear the Master's voice callin' through the pourin' rain.
He say, "All authority in heaven and earth is mine,"
Yeah, all that power given to me, gonna ease your troubled mind.
(Chorus - AAB pattern)
Go and make disciples, from the city to the shore,
Go and make disciples, from the city to the shore,
Baptize 'em in the name of Father, Son, and Spirit evermore.
(Verse 2)
Brother lost his job, sister cryin' in the night,
Ain't no bread on the table, future out of sight.
But Jesus say, "Teach 'em all I commanded you,"
Teach 'em to obey, in these dark days so blue.
(Chorus)
Go and make disciples, of all nations far and wide,
Go and make disciples, of all nations far and wide,
Baptize 'em in the name of Father, Son, and Spirit as your guide.
(Bridge - Slow build, with harmonica wail)
I been wanderin' these roads, feet sore and soul so low,
Wonderin' if the end's comin', or if hope's gonna show.
But he whisper, "Lo, I'm with you always, to the end of the age,"
Yeah, through the storm and the sorrow, turn the page.
(Verse 3)
From the Mississippi Delta to the California line,
Spread the word to the weary, let that light shine.
Ain't no Depression can hold us, with his promise so true,
All authority's his, gonna pull us through.
(Chorus - Fade out with repeat)
Go and make disciples, let the good news ring,
Go and make disciples, let the good news ring,
Baptize 'em in the name, and feel the joy it brings.
(Repeat: Lo, I'm with you always... always...)
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Background of Matthew 28:18-20
Matthew 28:18-20, often referred to as the Great Commission, is the concluding passage of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. The text reads (NIV translation): "Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'"
This scene takes place shortly after Jesus' resurrection, on a mountain in Galilee where he had instructed his eleven remaining disciples (following Judas Iscariot's betrayal and death) to gather. Some disciples worshiped him, while others doubted, highlighting the mix of faith and uncertainty among his followers at this pivotal moment. The passage serves as a climactic summary of Matthew's Gospel, tying together themes of Jesus' authority, discipleship, and the expansion of his message beyond Israel. It echoes earlier Old Testament promises, such as God's covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12:3, where all peoples on earth would be blessed through his descendants. Scholars note that this commission was originally directed at the apostles but extends to the broader church as Jesus' final instructions before his ascension (though Matthew does not explicitly describe the ascension itself, unlike Luke 24 or Acts 1).
Meaning of Matthew 28:18-20
At its core, the passage emphasizes Jesus' supreme authority ("all authority in heaven and on earth") as the foundation for the disciples' mission. This authority, granted by God the Father, positions Jesus as the ruling Lord over creation, fulfilling prophecies like Daniel 7:13-14 about the Son of Man receiving dominion. The central command is to "make disciples of all nations," which involves not just conversion but a comprehensive process: going out, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (a Trinitarian formula underscoring the divinity of Jesus and the Spirit), and teaching obedience to Jesus' commands. "Nations" (ethnē in Greek) refers to all ethnic groups or peoples, expanding the mission beyond Jewish boundaries to a global scope. The passage ends with a promise of Jesus' ongoing presence "to the very end of the age," offering assurance and empowerment through the Holy Spirit. Overall, it portrays discipleship as an active, transformative relationship with Christ, not merely intellectual assent.
History of Matthew 28:18-20
The Great Commission has been a cornerstone of Christian theology and practice since the early church. Written around AD 80-90 by Matthew (traditionally the tax collector disciple, though authorship is debated), the Gospel was likely composed for a Jewish-Christian audience to affirm Jesus as the Messiah. In the patristic era (2nd-5th centuries), figures like Irenaeus and Tertullian referenced it to support Trinitarian doctrine and the church's evangelistic role. During the Middle Ages, it fueled monastic missions and the spread of Christianity across Europe.
The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century revitalized its emphasis, with reformers like John Calvin viewing it as a call to global evangelism. The modern missionary movement, from the 18th century onward, drew heavily from it—William Carey, often called the father of modern missions, used Matthew 28:18-20 in his 1792 pamphlet to advocate for overseas evangelism, leading to organizations like the Baptist Missionary Society. In the 20th century, events like the 1910 Edinburgh Missionary Conference and the 1974 Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization framed it as the church's mandate, influencing global Christianity's growth amid colonialism, decolonization, and the rise of indigenous churches. Critiques have emerged, such as associations with cultural imperialism, but it remains a unifying text across denominations.
Contemporary Applications
In today's context, Matthew 28:18-20 continues to guide Christian mission and discipleship amid globalization, digital culture, and social challenges. Churches apply it through evangelism programs, such as door-to-door outreach, online ministries, and community service that integrate gospel sharing. For instance, organizations like the International Mission Board (IMB) and Cru emphasize "making disciples" in cross-cultural settings, training believers to plant churches in unreached areas. In polarizing times, it calls for unity in mission, prioritizing spiritual transformation over political or social agendas, though some integrate it with justice efforts like anti-poverty work as holistic discipleship. Contemporary interpretations also adapt to technology: apps for Bible study, virtual baptisms during pandemics, and social media evangelism reflect "going" into digital spaces. Denominations like the International Churches of Christ (ICOC) model it through intentional disciple-making communities. Overall, it inspires purpose-driven living, as seen in resources like Rick Warren's The Purpose Driven Life, urging individuals and churches to focus on eternal impact.
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Playing Suggestions
This song captures the raw, soulful essence of 1930s Delta blues, blending gospel elements with the era's themes of struggle and redemption. Aim for a haunting, introspective vibe to evoke the Great Depression's hardships while highlighting the hope in the scripture.

Rhythm: Use a classic 12-bar blues structure in the key of E or A (common for acoustic blues). Employ a shuffle rhythm—think a swinging, dotted eighth-note feel—to give it that loping, weary gait, like walking dusty roads. Alternate with straight-eighths in the bridge for tension. Keep verses sparse and spoken-sung for storytelling, building to fuller strums in the chorus.
Tempo: Slow to moderate, around 70-80 BPM. This allows for emotional delivery without rushing, letting the lyrics breathe and the bends/notes linger, mimicking the drawn-out suffering of the era. Speed up slightly in the final chorus for a sense of rising hope.
Instruments: Keep it minimal and acoustic to stay true to Depression-era blues recordings, which were often solo or small ensemble due to limited resources.

Primary: Fingerpicked acoustic guitar (e.g., a resonator like a National for that metallic twang) handling the bass lines and chord progressions.
Secondary: Harmonica (in the same key as the guitar) for wailing solos between verses, adding a mournful, train-whistle cry.
Optional additions: Upright bass or thumped washtub bass for low-end rhythm; a simple piano or pump organ for gospel-tinged fills in the chorus; light foot-stomp percussion to evoke field recordings. Avoid electric instruments—stick to unamplified for authenticity, perhaps recording with a single mic for that vintage, roomy sound. If performing live, a solo guitarist/harmonica player could handle it all, like Robert Johnson style.