Read these Scripture passages: II Corinthians 5:19 and 21; Galatians 3:13; and Philippians 2:5-8 as a background for "By This We Know Love." Answer the question. What is the theme of the poem?

Here are the Scripture references:

II Corinthians 5:19 - To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

II Corinthians 5:21 - For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Galatians 3:13 - Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

Philippians 2:5-8 - Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Here is the poem in full:

By This We Know Love

"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us (I John 3:16)."

That a man should die is sad,
Or good, or bad, or just, or cruel.
We judge these things by who he was,
And what he did, and how he died,
And who weeps by his side.

But that God should die!
By this we know love!

Grasping not at what was His—
All that heaven was—and is,
Of every glory, honor, praise,
Christ stripped Himself.

God put on man!
By this we know love!

And not alone to share our lot—be born
To play, work, laugh and groan,
And then, in three score years and ten
To die—not thus He came—
Not thus He died.

And no man took His life;
Very God of very God, He laid it down.

See Him, the Lord of Life,
The all atoning death embrace!
My place—there where I belong,
God's wrath on God was hurled,
And I go free!

That a man should die is sad,
Or good or bad, or just or cruel—
Depending on who he was
And what he did and how he died—
And who weeps by his side.

But that God should die!
By this I know love.

—Elizabeth Loeks Bouman