OD,

Good thoughts, and I think you just pointed out one of the major problems with Christianity as it has become (rather that what Jesus intended it to actually be.)

Jesus, in his station as Christ, manifested God. He was not God incarnate. Literal incarnation would not be possible, as God is exalted above all that there is.

Now, speaking of heresy... let me compare Christ on the cross to "Star Wars".... LOL.

In the movie, remember the part where Obi-Wan tells Darth Vader -- "Strike me down, and I will become more powerful than you can possibly imagine." And then allows Darth to strike him down?

That's what the crucifixion means to me. By giving up the physical form of Jesus of Nazereth, the man, Christ was able to be fully manifest in the spiritual sense. And, well, we've seen the results, the spirit of Christ has gone on to hold sway over billions, and changed countless lives. Far, far more than He ever could have done in physical form.

His enemies foolishly thought they had "defeated" him by killing his physical body. They just didn't get it. His real power was the full manifestation of his spirit... which his physical death on the cross allowed.