The ascension is the historic event where Jesus Christ, in his resurrected human body, visibly departed from earth and entered into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God. This exaltation marks the completion of his redemptive work on earth, where he now serves as our mediator, head of the church, and king until his return to judge the world.
The ascension of our Lord is not merely a symbolic transition but a literal, physical departure. After spending forty days appearing to his disciples and teaching them of the kingdom of God, Jesus was taken up into heaven in the sight of his disciples, and a cloud received him out of their sight. As the angels promised, he was received up into heaven and shall return in like manner (Acts 1:9-11). We confess, as reflected in the 39 Articles of Religion Article IV, that he took again his body, with flesh and bones, into heaven, where he now dwells as our representative.
Jesus did not ascend simply to leave us, but to act on our behalf. In our nature, as our head, he went into the highest heavens to receive gifts for men and to prepare a place for us (Westminster Larger Catechism Q.53). He is now seated at the right hand of the Father, where he makes constant intercession for his people (WCF Ch.8 §4). Because you are more loved in Christ than you dared hope, you can rest in the knowledge that he continues there for our interest, governing all things as the head of his church until the end of the world (Heidelberg Catechism Q.50).