TheBoost said:

In the OT our focus was mainly on non-Jedi issues, except specifically Luke's journey. The villains were criminals and Imperial military. Most of the heroes were smugglers, poloticians, and shady businessmen.

I agree with the first sentence. The main story of the first three films isn't really a Jedi story, per se. In fact, most of the military seems to regard the old religion as obsolete. The outcome of the main conflict happens to be decided by a former Jedi (losing) and a Jedi in training (winning), but it's a non-Jedi military conflict.

Regarding the heroes, the true heroes are an old Jedi Knight, a princess working clandestinely against the military, a farm boy drawn into the story by accident, and a self-serving pilot hired to provide transportation so that military information can be delivered.

skyjedi2005 said:

since Luke was training to be a jedi like his father, and star wars was from the adventures of luke skywalker i think jedi were of a large importance, the very scales of the conflict were decided by good or bad elites who were force users, the rest of the characters were clearly pawns.

No doubt Luke's abilities are the deciding factor in the rebels defeating the military, but I don't think I'd go as far as to say the Jedi were of large importance. Outside of an old Jedi Knight getting Luke involved, the old religion had little else to do with it. Granted, that one step, which happens by accident, is a huge one. Outside of that, their involvement is largely indirect.

It was Luke's resolve and his ability to work with the force that ultimately decides the outcome. In fact, of the three true Jedi we meet, one is killed, one dies of old age, & one is defeated.

I think Ben sums up their role very well - "The Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace & justice in the old republic...before the Empire". The Jedi are important to Luke, but it's a personal story for him - not the one we're part of while sitting in the theater.