Why are the signs in John's Gospel directed to Israel?
The signs in John's Gospel are directed to Israel because the Jew required a sign. Christ's earthly ministry was primarily to the Jew under the Old Testament covenant promises. At that time He had not yet died, the Temple was still operating, and Israel was to believe He was the promised Christ.
Les teaches that there are eight signs in John's Gospel, and they are not just miracles or wonders but signs. He emphasizes that the Jew required a sign, so all of these signs, miraculous though they are, are directed to the nation of Israel. Les further explains that everything in Christ's earthly ministry was directed primarily, though not exclusively, to the Jew under the covenant promises of the Old Testament. Christ had not yet died, and the Jews did not know He was going to die, but they were to believe He was the Christ coming in fulfillment of those Old Testament covenants. Every Jew Jesus deals with is still a law-keeping Jew, and the Temple is still going full blast.