Matthew 26:31 says, Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.  Jesus warned the disciples that they would be offended by what was going to happen to Him that night, and they would be scattered like sheep without a shepherd.  If we are offended by the cross, then we will likewise be scattered about like sheep without a Shepherd.  We cannot remove the cross and the shed blood of Jesus from salvation.  In order to be His sheep, we must be born again through the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross.  Jesus said that even His closest disciples would be offended by His death before they understood the significance of it after the fact.  They were still looking for Jesus to declare His earthly kingdom.  I believe that unless we accept Jesus for Who He truly is, the Savior of all who believe, that the gospel will be something that we ignore at best or find offensive at worst.  Verse thirty-two says, But after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.  Had the disciples been really listening and understanding Jesus, they would have recognized that the cross was not the end.  Jesus said that after He had risen again.  Jesus did not say that there was a possibility He might rise again, but that He would.  We can rest assured in that fact.  Jesus has already defeated the power of death over us if we accept Him as our Savior and Lord.  Jesus told the disciples after the resurrection that He would go before them in to Galilee.  Jesus will always go before us wherever we go as we follow Him by faith.  We cannot afford to be offended by or fail to share the gospel under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.  In verse thirty-three Peter declares, Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.  Peter was very outspoken in his declaration of faithfulness to Jesus.  Peter said that even if all men should be offended by Christ, that he never would.  Peter made this statement based on his own power and before Jesus was arrested.  We may make bold statements about our faith, but until it is tested, we cannot really know how strong it is.  The test may not even be life threatening, but may simply be how we respond to any temptation.  In verse thirty-four Jesus answers Peter asserting, Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.  Jesus told Peter that before the night was over, Peter would deny Jesus three times.  Peter had great faith in himself, but Jesus knew him even better than he knew himself, just as He does with each individual.  If we are making bold statements of faith based on our own strength and ability, then we will often fail.  I believe even if we succeed, it will be an empty success if we aren't acting from faith in God, so that He alone will be glorified.  Verse thirty-five states, Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.  Peter basically said that Jesus didn't know what He was saying.  Peter said that even if he died, he would not deny Jesus, as did the other disciples then.  Peter was bold in his declaration, and I believe that the other disciples simply didn't want to be seen as less faithful than Peter.  Peter had yet to face the possibility of dying for his faith, and neither had the other disciples.  We may make the same statement in the security of our home or church, but how will react if actually confronted with death for our faith?  Hopefully, we will stand firm.