I can’t help but wonder how much good PR the Jedi got out of Kanan and Ezra being a part of the early Rebellion, because we know that public opinion of Jedi was pretty low but by the time of the OT everyone sees the Jedi as heroes.
I mean, sure, the senators that lead the rebellion remember the Jedi fondly and so would those that interacted with them, but they were few. The Jedi influence on spirituality throughout the galaxy could be another factor (Jedha, Gatalena), but that only goes so far.
On the other hand, you had two Jedi (and Ahsoka, who wasn’t but who might be mistaken for one) that were heavily involved with the early Rebellion, one of which sent the speech that called many into action in the first place. Unlike the Jedi of the old Republic, they were friendly, approachable, relatable. They weren’t a distant order of mythical superheroes or a morally ambiguous arm of the Senate, only coming to the aid of approved planets, they were there on the ground and doing all they could to help. They wore the same clothes as everyone else, they went on missions with everyone else, they worked their way up the ranks like everyone else. The narrative of the Jedi shifts from one of wariness at this alien, godlike beings to one of respect and familiarity.
Soon enough, everyone either knows a Jedi or knows someone who knows someone who knows a Jedi, and they get a sort of mythical status. The Jedi were supposed to be gone, but some are still here, and they’re on our side.
