Being the Messiah is not a pure theological concept.
The Messiah is the Redeemer, the person who makes life in this world different.
That’s what was said in the Middle Ages by Nachmanides when he had the opportunity to speak up.
You can’t say that the world became any better because of Jesus.
You can’t say that there’s any redemption.
You may say that in the World to Come you will be redeemed, but that is not our notion of a Messiah.
The reality is what is done here in the world.
The wolf and the lamb are still in the same positions as they were two thousand years ago.
The world of peace, plenty, and love has not come.
–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz
From We Jews by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz