More great thinking questions!
After Jesus died on the cross, and after 3 days in the tomb, we know that he resurrected...just as we are hoping to, if we achieve enough of our own "spiritual program" here in our understanding of loving service and our sonship with the Father. Jesus passed through all the stages of the mansion worlds (remember he spoke in the Bible of having many mansions in his universe?)these are not huge houses, but huge worlds, whereupon we become more and more spirit-like until we choose to become one with our Father Fragment = perfect, even as He is perfect. He was already perfect and it met with the approval of the Father at his Baptism. We, other other hand, will have to do all that in a million years maybe!
And then! Must we pass through billions of more years in traversing our local universe worlds, followed by our Superuniverse worlds and programs, finally on to Havona and to experience those 1 000 000 worlds which surround Paradise...THEN will we be ready to actually be able to "see" with spiritual eyes our Paradise Father! Whew. But our Beloved Creator Father and Brother Jesus did it in 40 days. Wow.
So, on May 18, AD 30, when he ascended to the Father, he was Spirit...yes, certainly alive, but not in the "flesh alive"...our hopeful future as well. Subsequent to being approved by the Father for having perfectly completed all 7 creature bestowals to the Father’s satisfaction, 1) he was named Master Paradise Creator Son as full Sovereign over his own-created universe, Nebadon, after which he returned from Paradise to his rightful place in his/our universe, to regain sovereignty as our Creator Michael.
On that momentous day, 2) Michael was named Planetary Prince of our world, Urantia, as the former Prince was deposed because of rebellion; 3) Michael/Jesus poured out his promised Comforter, the Spirit of Truth, on to all flesh in his whole universe; 4) he proclaimed our Universe Mother as his full and equal partner /co-ruler and everyone recognized her personality and all were required to pledge allegiance to her; also, 5) on that day(!), the first governor-general of our seraphic planetary government arrived on Urantia to help us in our progress with 12 corps of special seraphim and others....WHAT A DAY!
This answer your question.
After Jesus rose from the dead, He "presented Himself alive" Acts 1:3 to the women near the tomb Matthew 28:9-10, to His disciples Luke 24:36-43, and to more than 500 others 1 Corinthians 15:6. In the days following His resurrection, Jesus taught His disciples about the kingdom of God Acts 1:3*
[2/24, 23:25] Bishop Steven: *Forty days after the resurrection, Jesus and His disciples went to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem. There, Jesus promised His followers that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit, and He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the Spirit had come. Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, HE BEGAN TO ASCEND INTO HEAVEN. The account of Jesus' ascension is found in Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11.*
[2/24, 23:28] Bishop Steven: *It is plain from Scripture that Jesus' ascension was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by many intent onlookers. As the disciples strained to catch a last glimpse of Jesus, a cloud hid Him from their view, and two angels appeared and promised Christ's return "in just the same way that you have watched Him go" Acts 1:11.*
[2/24, 23:33] Bishop Steven: *The Ascension of Jesus Christ is meaningful for several reasons*:
[2/24, 23:34] Bishop Steven: *1 It signaled the end of His earthly ministry. God the Father had lovingly sent His Son into the world at Bethlehem, and now the Son was returning to the Father. The period of human limitation was at an end* .
[2/24, 23:34] Bishop Steven: 2. It signified success in His earthly work. All that He had come to do, He had accomplished.
[2/24, 23:36] Bishop Steven: *3 It marked the return of His heavenly glory. Jesus' glory had been veiled during His sojourn on earth, with one brief exception at the Transfiguration Matthew 17:1-9.*
[2/24, 23:37] Bishop Steven: 4 It symbolized His exaltation by the Father Ephesians 1:20-23. The One with whom the Father is well pleased Matthew 17:5 was received up in honor and given a name above all names Philippians 2:9.
[2/24, 23:42] Bishop Steven: *6 It indicated the beginning of His new work as High Priest Hebrews 4:14-16 and Mediator of the New Covenant Hebrews 9:15.*
[2/24, 23:43] Bishop Steven: *Currently, the Lord Jesus is in heaven. The Scriptures frequently picture Him at the right hand of the Father-a position of honor and authority Psalm 110:1; Ephesians 1:20; Hebrews 8:1 Christ is the Head of the Church Colossians 1:18, the giver of spiritual gifts Ephesians 4:7-8, and the One who fills all in all Ephesians 4:9-10.*
Sister Monica, you have answered it all. Jesus ascended to heaven alive in spirit not in the flesh as many do know