In a valley between two mountains lies a small village.  In this modest village lives a man known throughout the area for his wisdom.  He knows when it rains, and thus when the village should plant crops.  He can predict the frost, and thus when crops should be harvested.  He knows how to treat illness and prevent impending illness.  Being so well respected, people travel from near and far to seek his advice and counsel.  People bring questions and the wise man provides them answers.

In this village, a young man is struggling to find his place in the world.  Internally, he is suffering.  He has, in his mind, not proven his value and worth.  He struggles for the respect of others.  In frustration, he decides to challenge the wise man, believing if he defeats the village's most respected person, he will take the wise man's glory and respect.  The young man crafts a plan and shares it with his friends.

He says, “I will take a baby bird in my hands and offer it to the great man of knowledge.  I will ask the wise man two questions: 'What do I have in my hands?' and 'Is it alive or dead?'”

The young man's challenge was in the second question, "Is the bird alive or dead?"  The young man tells his friends that should the wise man answer ‘alive’,  the young man will crush the bird to death with his hands and throw in on the ground.

Conversely, if the wise man answers that the bird is dead, the boy shares that he will open his hands and let the bird fly free.

The boy, pleased with the reaction of his friends, and sensing victory,  travels through the village to the wise man’s hut.  Along the way, a crowd of followers gathers.

Upon arrival, the wise man graciously acknowledges the young boy and encourages him to speak.  With defiance, the young adolescent thrusts the bird held within his closed hands before the man and  asks — “What do I have in my hands?”

The wise man looks at the boy’s hands and says, “Why, you have a baby bird in your hands.”  With this answer the boy defiantly asks, “Is it alive or dead?”

The wise man reflectively locks eyes with the troubled young man and  then looking down into the young man's hands and back into the young man's eyes replies,
“Why, that answer lies in your hands."

There is a matter "in your hands" concerning which you must make a decision. 
The question is: "What will you do with Jesus?"  It is THE most important question, and it has eternal consequences.

People have answered this question differently through the years.  Peter denied Jesus.  Judas betrayed Him.  The soldiers mocked Him.  The Jews crucified Him.  Saul persecuted Jesus.  Pilate tried to avoid the question altogether, but he had to make a choice, too (Matthew 27:-22-26).

What will YOU do with Jesus?

To reject or ignore Him... is to reject one's ONLY hope of salvation and the gift of eternal life (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

To acknowledge that He is the Son of God who gave Himself on the cross for our sins (1 Cor 15:1-3) and to receive His offer of salvation brings eternal life (Rom 6:23).

God will save those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  He will continue to cleanse from sin those who continue to walk in the light of His Word (1 John 1:7).

What will YOU do with Jesus?  The answer is "in your hands."