He isn't talking about physicality. The Son had not yet been incarnated.
Man is the most different from ALL of the other flora and fauna because we have a free will and the ability to reason.
THIS is what God was talking about in Gen. 1:26.
Jesus said that Abraham had seen Him in his day.
John 8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? 58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 59 Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
So men had seen God face to face in the Old Testament. That was the Son of God since it was written that no men had seen the Father at any time.
He appeared to Abraham.
Genesis 12:7And the
Lord appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the
Lord, who
appeared unto him.
Genesis 17:1And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the
Lord appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.
Genesis 18:1 And the Lord appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
He appeared to Isaac.
Genesis 26:24 And the Lord appeared unto him the same night, and said, I am the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I am with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham's sake.
He appeared unto Jacob.
Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob.28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.
So when we were created in His image. the Son of God had an image and so did the Father per this verse.
Genesis 1:26 And God said, Let us make man in
our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
His incarnation was stepping down from His celestial image in taking a fashion of terrestrial men so He could give His life as a ransom for many.
