Where does the Gospel actually begin? Where does God's good news originate? Matthew and Luke begin their accounts of Jesus' life with the stories surrounding his birth. John begins with the creation of the world where the Son of God was not only present, but also did the creating. Mark, with his focus on good news, chooses to begin a different place. If folks are going to be open to the good news of God, then someone is going to have to be a servant and prepare the way for Jesus to come and for his word to be heard. In many ways, the good news always begins in this place. The real question is whether we are willing to be used as servants like John the Baptist—who is introduced in the next verse—and prepare the way for Jesus' good news to be heard by our friends.