a few more verses on temptation

Last night SP read out a little of Hebrews to me and this verse came up:

'Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death — that is, the devil — and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants. For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.' Hebrews 2:14-25

After my thinking and post yesterday is was good to read these verses and to know that when Jesus talks about temptation it isn't an abstract thing, he himself was tempted, he himself was sent to this earth to share in our flesh, blood, humanity and to die so that he might have victory over the devil.

I do wonder what it means, 'to free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death'. I get that death no longer had a hold on us but I am not entirely sure what this verse means by 'their fear of death.' Any thoughts?

What an encouragement to know that the Lord Jesus himself went through being tempted (but DID NOT give in to the temptation as he is sinless) so that he is able to help those being tempted. We are not alone, we have a helper and we have the spirit of God working in us so that we might be able to stand when we are faced with trials and temptation - I pray that I might cling to these verses when in those times...